THREE Italian nationals were robbed while one of them had both legs shot by motorcycle-riding robbers in Maria Christina Extension, barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, at past 6 a.m. yesterday.
The incident, which occurred a few days before the culmination of the Sinulog festivities, was dismissed by Cebu City police as an isolated incident.
Two of the victims arrived in the city to watch the Sinulog festival.
“Nothing to worry about for our foreign and domestic guests,” said Insp. Rolando Pinili, chief of the Theft and Robbery Section (TRS) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
Robbers took a blue bag that contained 5,000 euros or roughly P360,000, one plane ticket, one iPhone and P23,000 cash.
The three Italians—Machele Loungo, 67; Michele Acanfora, 71; and Franco Palatacci, 62—were outside their apartment and were headed to Camotes Island when the incident happened.
Loungo fought back but he was shot in the legs by one of the robbers. He is now confined at the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital. Acanfora and Palatacci also lost necklaces.
All three are natives of Caserta, Italy, and they stayed temporarily in an apartment in the area.
Mitzie Sabay, Loungo’s fiancée, said they were about to close the gate when the incident happened. PO2 Ledio Libres of the Fuente police precinct said the suspects sped towards Escario Street.
Chief Insp. Romeo Santander of the Cebu City police’s City Intelligence Branch (CIB) said the suspects were local boys.
Santander called on the public to be vigilant against robbers. Pinili said the robbers didn’t wear helmets or ski masks at the time. Correspondent Chito Aragon