Man shot, robbed after cashing check in Binondo

MANILA, Philippines–A man who had just cashed a P900,000 check lost the money and his motorcycle to an armed robber who also shot him in the leg just meters away from the bank and his office in Manila on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said the victim, 34-year-old broker Mel Bañas, had just left Union Bank on Muelle del Banco National Street in Binondo around 2:30 p.m. and was driving toward his office around 60 meters away on Escolta when an unidentified man blocked his path and ordered him to get off his red Honda Beat (4448 QW).

When Bañas refused, the assailant shot him in the left thigh, forced him off the bike, and seized it as his getaway vehicle, taking with him the cash Bañas had placed inside the compartment.

Bystanders who rushed Bañas to Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital after the incident saw the robber going toward Plaza Sta. Cruz, where he was joined by another man on a red motorcycle. Both of them were wearing black helmets and jackets.

According to the case investigator, PO2 Ryan Fortich, Bañas underwent an operation Wednesday night to extract the bullet.–Annelle Tayao-Juego