Policewoman foils Edsa holdup

A Navotas City policewoman on her way home shot and wounded one of the three men who declared a holdup on a bus in Quezon City Tuesday night.

PO1 Judy Ann de Villa, 24, arrested 39-year-old Juanito “Yoyoy” Arsenio, moments after he robbed one of the 15 passengers.

De Villa, who was wearing a black jacket over her uniform, was onboard a Cher bus on Edsa’s southbound lane in Cubao, Quezon City, when Arsenio, along with two companions, boarded around 11:35 p.m.

About five minutes later, Arsenio drew a pistol and declared a holdup, taking the bag of a woman seated near her. De Villa stood up and introduced herself as a policewoman, pointing her gun at the robber.

But Arsenio and his companions, who were said to be wielding knives, managed to jump off the bus and run.

De Villa chased them and fired at Arsenio, hitting him in the buttocks. The wounded Arsenio yielded a .22-cal. pistol and the bag, which he threw away as he fled, was recovered.

“I never thought they would declare a holdup in a crowded area like Cubao,” De Villa said. “Having my uniform on gave me more courage to go after the suspect,” she told the Inquirer Wednesday.

For her bravery, De Villa received a commendation from Senior Supt. Dante Novicio, Navotas police chief.

Facing charges for attempted homicide, robbery and illegal possession of firearms, Arsenio underwent surgery at Quirino Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday.