Cattle traders lose P.5-M to robbers

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — A couple engaged in cattle trading lost more than P.5 million and three cellphones when they were held up by two armed men before dawn at the cattle market in Barangay Nancayasan in Urdaneta City Saturday.

Reports reaching the provincial office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pangasinan, identified the victims as Evaristo Dimaculangan and his wife, Rosalinda, residents of Barangay San Francisco, Lipa, Batangas.

Initial investigation showed that the couple were inside the canteen of the cattle market when the still unidentified robbers entered the establishment and announced a holdup.

At gunpoint, the robbers took the couple’s cash amounting to P525,000 and three cellular phones, the report added.

The two robbers, who have three back-up companions outside the cattle market, reportedly commandeered a Mitsubishi Lancer and fled towards the south.

Police authorities responded to the call of the distressed victims but failed to catch up with the fleeing robbers.

A follow-up investigation is now being conducted by the police.

Meanwhile, more than P400,000 in cash, assorted jewelry, a keyboard player, compact disc player, amplifier and cellphone were lost when unidentified robbers entered a pawnshop in Poblacion, Alaminos City last week.

According to the belated report, the burglary was discovered at about 6 a.m. on Oct. 6.