CEBU, Philippines — A security escort was killed in a robbery at a gasoline station in Purok 2, Barangay San Pascual, Ubay, Bohol past 5 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2023.
The victim was identified as 29-year-old Marlowie Ayuma Amparado.
According to Police Staff Sergeant Jose David Estremos, assistant investigator at Ubay Municipal Police Station, the gasoline station has many branches in the Province of Bohol.
In Barangay San Pascual branch, there was a reading and collection of income made by a woman employee with Amparado as her security escort when the incident happened.
While counting the money, two suspects suddenly arrived onboard a gray Suzuki Raider 150.
According to Estremos, the suspects pretended to get gas.
According to the investigator, the guard at the gasoline station was next to the cashier booth while the escort for the reading and collection was outside.
The guard reportedly did not notice the arrival of the suspects - one of those pulled out a weapon and immediately pointed at the escort.
The driver approached the guard who noticed him pull out a gun. The guard tried to grab the gun but was hit in the hand when it fired.
The backrider shot the escort who fell down and took the bag containing money. The suspects quickly escaped.
Estremos said that inside the dead escort's sling bag was a weapon but the victim was not able to pull it out during the incident.
“Katong dakuon, katong nagbarog nga naay sling bang nga mora’g green or khaki ba na nga color mao to siya ang escort….Oo, ni attempt siya og bunot sa iyahang armas allegedly armas daw sulod sa bag unya wala naman gyud namo makita kay gidala man pud og apil sa katong suspect,” said Estremos.
The police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and they are also checking if these are local boys.
Authorities obtained a copy of the CCTV footage of the gasoline station which they said would be of great help to identify the suspects.
“Na-identify ang unit ang problema wala pa makita ang plate number ang atoang kapulisan karon nagsige pa og conduct og back tracking og asa sila possible ang ilang exit, ma possible makuha ba ang plate number kung naa man gani,” said Estremos.
Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-7, said PRO-7 director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin ordered the arrest of the suspects as soon as possible.
According to Pelare, the police at the Ubay Municipal Police Station have a lead on the suspects and they are doing follow up operations.
“Our police are on the ground but also let us be reminded nga kining criminal nato they will always find a way to perpetuate their criminal acts, kita sa PNP we will be very pro-active and we seek the help of our community ilabi na ning atong mga business establishments,” said Pelare.
Aberin also ordered the unit commanders to gather all security officers of business establishments such as banks, pawnshops, gasoline stations and other financial institutions for a dialogue to ensure that their security measures are in order.
“Ma local man o ma imported ning mga suspects nato usa sa pinaka importante ani ang atong mga security guards kay ang kining example sa Ubay, Bohol naa man gihapon sila’y security guard pero wala ta kabalo sufficient ba kay nahitabo ang sa Ubay is 5pm in the afternoon so let us reassess our security so mao nay reason nganong magpatawag dayon og immediate meeting sa tanang financial institution ang atong mga kapulisan sa Central Visayas,” said Pelare. — GMR (FREEMAN)