Ceres Bus robbed, conductor killed

FOUR unidentified suspects staged a robbery hold-up Monday evening aboard a Ceres Bus Liner at Manapla town, Negros Occidental that resulted in the death of the bus conductor.

Manapla police commander Insp. Julius Colado identified the victim as Rolando Despi, 24, and resident of Barangay Paraiso, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

The victim was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Colado said that around 7:30 p.m. while the Ceres Bus with body number 5254 driven by Roger Monticillo, 33, of Villa Socorro, Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City was travelling from Escalante City going to Bacolod City reached Manapla, four unidentified suspects boarded the Ceres Bus and pretended to be passengers.

He said when the Ceres Bus was near Hacienda Theresa, Barangay Punta Mesa, the four suspects armed with two firearms and two bladed weapons immediately declared hold-up.

One of the suspects stabbed the conductor twice in the chest and took the day's collection amounting to P9,000.

Colado added the suspects also took the cellular phones and money of some passengers and immediately alighted from the Ceres Bus.

Colado said the Ceres Bus driver immediately rushed the victim to Victorias hospital but Despi was declared dead on arrival by his attending physician in said hospital.

He said some of the passengers also sustained some bruises when the suspects threatened them.

Collado claimed that after they received report of the said incident, they immediately conducted checkpoint operations in different areas of Manapla together with the mobile group and Victorias City police.

He said they are still conducting hot pursuit operations against the suspects, claiming that they have already a lead in said case.