Robbers strike anew in Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines – Motorcycle-riding holdup men have struck anew in Nueva Ecija, sparking a surge of robberies since Monday here and in Gapan City and Guimba town, killing one of their victims.

Last Tuesday, two men robbed and shot dead Susan Gervacio, cashier of the New Rural Bank of San Leonardo (San Antonio branch), along the Gapan-Olongapo Road in Barangay Sto. Niño, Gapan City.

Police said Gervacio was on board a Toyota Altis driven by the bank’s assistant vice president Abigail Garcia, 32, accompanied by bank clerk Januarian Reña, 28, and Raquel Ortiz, 75, when the two men caught up with them while stuck in heavy traffic. The robbers fired at Gervacio with a caliber .45 pistol, grabbed her money bag and then fled.

In this city, three motorcycle-riding armed men divested businesswoman Angelina Estrella, 54, of P197,000 in cash also last Tuesday.

In Guimba town, two men on an unlicensed red Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle held up Jackielyn Ybañez, 16, last Monday.