Guard killed in attempt to rob Masbate City pawnshop

LEGAZPI CITY—A security guard was killed in an attempt by three gunmen to rob a pawnshop in Masbate City on Monday (Dec. 21).

Maj. Steve dela Rosa, Masbate City police chief, said one of the gunmen, upon arrival at the pawnshop, shot the guard, Roldan Manlapaz, 22, with an improvised shotgun.

The pawnshop’s three tellers, hearing the gunshot, were able to hide and frustrate the robbery.

Manlapaz was shot in the chest and rushed to hospital but died hours later.

Dela Rosa said authorities were unable to rely on footage from security cameras for the identities of the armed robbers because they were wearing masks in compliance with COVID-19 health protocols.

“Because of the pandemic, wearing face mask and face shield is acceptable,” Dela Rosa said. So the tellers thought that the robbers “were just normal customers,” he said.

Authorities conducted hot pursuit operations for the gunmen.