PORAC -- A 36-year-old tricycle driver was shot while a holdup suspect suffered stab wounds during a highway robbery in Barangay Sepung Bulaon, here last Sunday evening.
In his report to Senior Superintendent Gil Lebin, officer-in-charge of the Pampanga Police Office, this town’s chief of police Superintendent Abel Lingat identified the tricycle driver as Rolly Garcia, 36, married, a resident of Model Community in Barangay Pio in this town.
Lingat said the police led by Inspectors John Bernard and Efren David were able to apprehend suspected “notorious” robber Joel Buan, 30, a resident of Barangay Sepung Bulaon.
He said the victim was on board his tricycle traveling along the said barangay road when the suspect flagged him down and fired two shots in the air and announced the holdup.
Lingat said the suspect then divested the victim of his wallet containing still undetermined amount of money and jewelries. But before Buan could make his escape, Garcia managed to get a bladed weapon and stabbed the suspect several times in the lower abdomen.
The police chief said that although wounded, the suspect managed to shot the victim and escaped.
Garcia managed to drive himself to the Porac District Hospital for treatment while policemen later arrested Buan during a hot pursuit operation. The victim hid in a poultry farm in Barangay Babo Sacan here.
Police then took the suspect to the Porac District Hospital for treatment of stab wounds but was later transferred to the Jose B. Lingad Regional Hospital.
Lingat said they have filed appropriate charges against Buan in court.
Meanwhile, Mayor Rogelio Santos commended the local police in its drive against all forms of criminality, saying that Lingat and the Porac police “is doing a good job” in maintaining peace and order as well as curving lawlessness in this town. (Chris Navarro)