Lending firm manager held up, killed

Monday, January 16, 2012

A MANAGER of a lending company was shot and killed after she was held up by three unidentified suspects Friday evening at Bangga RC-1, Araneta Street, Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City.

Station 8 commander Chief Inspector Danilo Francisco identified the victim as Josie Genovea, 45, manager of ZFA Lending Corporation, La Carlota branch, and resident of NHA Housing, Barangay Pahanocoy.

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Francisco said Genovea sustained four gunshot wounds below her left armpit, left hands, and right arm, and an injury in the left portion of her face after she was held up and was shot by one of the suspects using .45 caliber pistol when she refused to give her shoulder bag.

He said Genovea was immediately rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center for medical treatment but she was declared dead by her physician.

Investigation showed that, around 7:05 p.m., after the victim alighted from a double-tire bus from La Carlota City along Bangga RC-1, Barangay Pahancocoy, she tried to flag down a public utility jeepney in the area but suddenly three unidentified suspects riding aboard a motorcycle held her up, Francisco said.

When Genovea refused to give her shoulder bag, one of the suspects shot her several times, took her bag and fled going north, he said.

Police recovered in the crime scene two empty cartridges and two slugs of .45 caliber pistol.

Francisco said one of the witnesses, a co-passenger of the victim whose name is being withheld, claimed that when they rode in a double tire bus from La Carlota, City, she saw an unidentified man, wearing a bonnet in his head also ride in a bus.

She said that when Genovea alighted at Bangga RC-1, Barangay Pahancocoy, suddenly the person who’s wearing a bonnet also alighted in the area and immediately grabbed the bag of the victim.

He added the witness was shock when she saw the suspect shoot the victim, adding that that after the victim was shot, two unidentified suspects riding in tandem on board a motorcycle, fetched the gunman and fled.

Francisco pointed out that the witness can identify the suspect if she saw him again while another minor witness, who was also in the area when the victim was shot, claimed that he saw the bonnet-wearing gunman shoot the victim.

He theorized that Genovea was already monitored by the suspects from La Carlota City going here in Bacolod, believing that the victim was carrying a big amount of money.

He said the management of ZFA Lending Corporation stated that Genovea was not carrying a big amount of money during the incident and she didn’t even receiving her salary yet.

The victim was only carrying 18 ATM cards of the pensioners and some of her personal belongings when she was held up, he added.

Francisco disclosed they are still conducting follow-up operation to apprehend the suspects.