2 hurt in attempted robbery of off-duty cop

MANILA, Philippines - Three robbers made the terrible mistake of trying to rob an off-duty police officer in Alabang, Muntinlupa early Wednesday and ended up with two of them being shot in the legs by their would-be victim.

According to a report reaching the Southern Police District (SPD), victim Inspector Bob Belver, 53, who is assigned with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Pangasinan had just alighted from a passenger bus at the Alabang viaduct at about 1 a.m. on his way home to Calamba City in Laguna when he was approached by four men.

The suspects armed with knives declared the robbery and grabbed his bag.

Belver then calmly told the men that he was a police officer and ordered them to drop their knives and return his bag.

However, according to the report, two of the suspects suddenly said “Walang pulis-pulis sa amin” and then tried to stab him but missed. Belver then drew out his service pistol and shot the two suspects at the legs.

The suspects were later identified as Ruel Poquiaz, 20, Kim Olofernes, 21 and Ray Valencia, 19, all residents of Alabang, Muntinlupa. The fourth suspect remains unidentified and had managed to escape during the shooting.

The wounded suspects were rushed for emergency treatment at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa by responding Muntinlupa police officers.

Belver recovered his bag intact that contained two mobile phones, assorted clothes and two pistol magazines.