Robbers hit QC clinic; staffer hurt

Two robbers eluded the police after entering a clinic in Quezon City and briefly holding its female secretary hostage Friday afternoon.

Estela Verano, 37, was brought to the hospital after she was found unconscious by responding policemen inside Mother and Child Medical and Dental Clinic on Tomas Morato Avenue corner Kamuning Road.

Verano was found lying on the floor near the dental chair with her hands bound by a handkerchief and without visible injuries, according to Supt. Limuel Obon, commander of the Quezon City Police District’s Kamuning Station.

Speaking to investigators after regaining consciousness, she said she was alone at the clinic when a man in a black shirt and orange pants entered around 1 p.m. and held her at knifepoint. She recalled passing out but could not provide details of how she was assaulted, Obon said.

According to neighbors, they heard Verano cry out: “Lisa, help me.” The call was directed at Elisa Sestrillo, who lives next to the clinic.

Jerry Desierra, another neighbor, said he tried to remove the exhaust fan at the side of the clinic in order to gain access but he heard Verano telling him not to proceed.

Desierra then peeped through the clinic’s bathroom window and saw a man holding Verano, with his arm around her neck.

Verano then told him that there was another man upstairs. Desierra then went to the back of the clinic, which was surrounded by houses, to see if someone will escape from there.

Policemen arrived at the clinic after receiving a call around 2 p.m. and tried to communicate with those inside. Receiving no response, they forced the door open and found the unconscious Verano.

It was not immediately established at press time how the robbers managed to escape and what they had taken from the clinic.