Cop, sister hurt in Batangas mishap

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman and his sister were wounded in a shootout with robbers who tried to steal their P830,000 withdrawn from a bank in Tanauan City, Batangas Friday afternoon.

Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz identified the victims as Police Officer 2 Joel Pineda and his sister Juanita.

A report reaching Camp Crame said the victims were on their way home aboard a Toyota Corolla sedan after withdrawing the money from a bank branch at about 3 p.m. when the three still-unidentified suspects aboard a motorcycle, waylaid them along N. Gonzales street in Barangay Poblacion.

Cruz said the suspects blocked the victims’ car and opened fire at the car’s front wheels, causing it to stop. 

Pineda then drew his 9 mm service pistol and returned fire at the suspects, hitting two of them. One of the suspects managed to escape during the gunfight.