Student killed, driver hurt in Antipolo City robbery

A student was killed and a driver was seriously wounded when three motorcycle-riding men robbed a rice dealer in Antipolo City last Wednesday, police said.

The student, 19-year-old Eric Matias, died from a bullet wound in the chest, while the driver, Jonathan Balacquao, 22, was hit in the left arm, the bullet exiting through his chest.

Senior Superintendent Leocadio Santiago, Rizal police director, said the victims had just locked the Al-Fei Merchandising store owned by Matias’ uncle, Albert Torres, 42, in Barangay Cupang at about 9 p.m. when the robbers came.

Without a word, one of the robbers pointed his handgun at the head of Torres’ sister, Percy Canda, 56, and grabbed from her a bag containing P100,000 of the store’s earnings.

When Balacquao, who was behind the wheel of an Elf van, tried to fight back, one of the robbers fired at him.

Matias, who was at the back seat, was also shot by the robbers when he tried to go out of the vehicle.

Santiago said the three robbers were riding on two black motorcycles and sped off toward Marikina City.

He suspects that the robbers were the same ones who robbed the Home Sweet Home grocery store of P220,000 early this week.