Fish trader robbed of P.2 million in Malabon

MANILA, Philippines - A fish trader lost P260,000 to three robbers at the Malabon City fish market Saturday night, police said yesterday.

Chief Inspector Realito Esperida, Malabon City police station investigation branch chief, identified the victim as Carlos Ortega, 54, a resident of Obando, Bulacan.

Ortega was sitting in front of a fish stall on Estrella street at around 10:20 p.m. when he noticed that the door of his cargo truck parked nearby was wide open.

Ortega looked inside and chanced upon a man holding his bag, which contained his money. The man wore a black bonnet and held a handgun.

He said he tried to confront the man but was forced to run for cover when the robber fired several shots into the air.

Fish porter Ronaldo Llena, 41, told police that the robber had two other companions, both wearing black bonnets and armed with .45 caliber pistols.

The three gunmen boarded a motorized banca at the back of the fish market and fled towards Manila Bay, witnesses said.

Ortega sought the help of the local police but the suspects were already gone when the police officers arrived.