Robbers strike at money transfer branch in Lipa

MANILA, Philippines - A group of armed robbers carted away a still undetermined amount of cash and valuables from the Western Union money transfer branch in Batangas on Monday.

A radio report said the robbers posed as customers entered the establishment on J.P. Laurel Street, Barangay Mataas na Lupa in Lipa City and disarmed security guard Juny Verna.

The robbers then ordered Western Union teller Kenneth Altamirano to open the vault, the report said.

The robbers escaped on a black motorcycle after divesting the contents of the vault and taking away the guard's service firearm and Altamirano's clutch bag containing P1,200 and valuables.