Lending collector robbed, then shot

CEBU, Philippines - A 26-year-old lending collector was shot after he refused to give his bag to robbers at around 8 p.m. Thursday in Seaside North Poblacion, Naga City.

The victim, Gerald Quiniquito, single, lending collector of Project Dungganon Lending Company and Micro Finance, and a resident of Barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla sustained two gunshot wounds to the back portion of his left leg after he tried to fight back the robbers who tried to snatch his bag. He was rushed to Minglanilla District Hospital for treatment.

Quiniquito’s companion identified the suspects as Eric Abello, 23, resident of Seaside North Poblacion, Naga City and Alex Cayumo, 39, of Barangay Colon of the said city. The two are allegedly natives of Tandag, Surigao Del Sur.

According to PO3 Remberto Empenado, the victim, together with his assistant collector, Apple Lamata, were waiting for a passenger bus at the national highway after meeting their clients in the area when the suspects suddenly appeared from behind and grabbed Quiniquito’s bag. When the victim refused, one of the suspects allegedly shot him several times to the left leg and swiftly left the area.

Elements of Naga Police Station immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation together with Lamata that led to the arrest of the two suspects.

At around 10 p.m., Abello was arrested in his house in North Poblacion and recovered from his possession was a black bag containing .45 caliber pistol with two magazines and four ammunitions, together with seven empty shells and one deformed slug.

About 45 minutes later, Alex Cayumo was also arrested in his house in Barangay Colon and recovered from him a small wallet and two transparent plastic packs containing white crystalline substance believed to be “shabu.”

Both suspects are now detained in Naga Police Station. Appropriate charges were already filed against them. —(FREEMAN)