Cop foils Lenten robbery, nabs suspect

MANILA, Philippines – A policeman, responding to a distress call by jeepney passengers who have just been robbed in Quezon City, prevented one of the perpetrators from escaping after he shot and arrested the suspect who tried to stab him first.

Police Officer 3 Silveriano Marcedonio of the Cubao police station arrested Norman Alexis Garcia, 32, a resident of Natividad Subdivision in Deparo, Caloocan City, after he and an accomplice robbed the passengers of a jeepney along 12th Avenue in Cubao early morning of Good Friday.

Senior Superintendent Arrazad Subong, officer-in-charge of the Quezon City Police
District, said it was Marcedonio who shot Garcia while trying to defend himself from the suspect’s knife attack.

The suspects, also posing as passengers, declared a robbery after the jeepney reached Main Avenue in Barangay (village) Socorro, and threatened three others who were riding with them with knives into giving up their belongings.

In a report, Cubao police station commander Superintendent Ramon Pranada said the robbers divested the passengers of their cash, cellphones and other valuables before alighting and walking away.

The victims however reported the robbery to two policemen on patrol, one of which was Marcedonio.

Marcedonio, along with PO3 Roberto Se, chased the fleeing suspects and caught up with them.

But Garcia, instead of yielding, lunged at Marcedonio with his knife in an attempt to resist arrest.

The policeman sidestepped the attempt, drew his gun and fired at Garcia who was rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center for a wound in the stomach.

Police said the robber’s companion however escaped and was now the subject of a manhunt.

Garcia will be charged with robbery and assault against an agent of authority for attacking Marcedonio with a knife during arrest.