AT least three men were waiting in the food court in the Robinson’s mall basement for the armored van to deliver cash to a money changer outlet.
The bank teller of ChinaBank, carrying a money bag, entered the basement with an escort security guard past 9 a.m.A second guard was left in the van with the driver.
Police said suspect Junjun Cabando was seen sitting at a table near the money changer outlet. When the teller arrived, Cabando stood up and brandished a handgun.
The bank teller, Lewin Surig, reacted with shock, which may have been taken as an act of resistance. He was shot in the leg. The gunshots caused a commotion in the supermarket.
The second security guard, Leofer Etac, who was waiting at the van, approached to respond. A lookout of the gang tried to grab his shotgun but the guard resisted. Etac was shot dead.
Patrol car number 018 of the Mobile Patrol Group was driving by the area on the way to the Provincial Capitol to bring an arrested person.
Hearing the gunfire, the policemen stopped and engaged the robbers in a gun battle.
One robber was hit and two policemen were seriously injured. The police driver called for backup by radio.
Two motorcycles were seen speeding away from the mall. Six mobile patrol vehicles arrived and gave chase until they blocked the suspects in Ranudo Street. A shoot-out ended with Antonio Adelan and one unidentified man dead.
Police said they found a .45 pistol with several magazines near Adelan’s body. Another .45 pistol was found at the parking area of Centro Maximo Building in Ranudo Street.
The body of a third robber, Mario Dapitan, was found at Sepulveda Street in the same area.A fourth robber, a lookout, was seen leaving on board a taxi.
Two getaway motorcycles were recovered in Ranudo Street and Alcohol Street in barangay Zapatera, which was ridden by Dapitan.
Witnesses said one motorbike had three persons riding on it including the driver. Others said the second motorbike had two riders.