Man who tried to catch thief shot, wounded in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines — A man nearly died in Marikina City after he tried to catch the thief who robbed a woman of her purse early Tuesday morning.

Vladimir Mojar sustained a gunshot wound in the right part of his chest when suspect Edgar Bagate fired at him during a brief chase along Sinag Tala Street, Doña Petra, in Barangay Tumana at around 4 a.m.

The case investigator, SPO1 Charles Pacquing Jr., said that Mojar was trying to catch Bagate who stole Beverly Ann Pamplona’s purse containing her mobile phone, ATM and identification cards, and P500 in cash. He added that Pamplona was on her way home when she was robbed by the suspect, who had just been released from jail for a stabbing case.

Pacquing said that Mojar was also on his way home and happened to stop by a convenience store to buy a cigarette when Pamplona asked for his help, prompting him to run after Bagate. Upon reaching Sinag Tala Street, the suspect fired at the 30-year-old victim once.

Mojar was immediately brought by his relatives to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment and remains under observation. Bagate, on the other hand, managed to escape with Pamplona’s belongings and the weapon he used to shoot Mojar.

Police said  a manhunt has been launched to arrest the suspect. SFM