71-year-old dies in SJDM after getting robbed, beaten up by group

A septuagenarian has died in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan after he was robbed and beaten up by his suspected captors. 

Based on an initial investigation, the 71-year-old victim was walking in Barangay Muzon Proper when he was forced inside an AUV. A motorcycle rider saw him being assaulted inside the van. 

“Nag-counterflow po itong sasakyan. Meron po silang nabanggang motorsiklo. 'Yung driver po ng motorsiklo, nakita po, biglang bumukas yung sasakyan,” said SJDM Police Station Investigator Police Corporal Ryand Paul Antimaro in James Agustin’s report on “24 Oras” Monday.

(The van did a counterflow and hit a motorcycle. The rider saw the victim when the door opened.)

“Nakita po nila na may binubugbog sa loob na isang matanda kaya agad po nakakuha sila ng pansin kaya po hinabol po nila,” Antimaro said. 

(He saw a senior citizen being hit so the rider followed them.)

The victim managed to escape and sought assistance from a village guard, who then called the police. Cops arrested the driver of the AUV and recovered from his possession more than P21,000 in cash and valuables worth P320,000.

Also seized from him were a gun and a makeshift firearm with ammunition. 

“Lumalabas sa imbestigasyon namin ito pong biktima, nagtubos ng mga alahas sa isang pawnshop. Kaya po siguro natiktikan nitong mga suspect natin,” said Antimaro. 

(An investigation showed the victim redeemed her jewelries.)

The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The van driver pinpointed the location of his cohorts which included another man and four women. They were nabbed in a subsequent operation and were found to be members of a group who reportedly rob and assault their victims. 

“Itong mga suspect ay nag-ooperate po dito sa San Jose Del Monte at mga karatig bayan. Ang binibiktima po nila ay puro matatanda na kumbaga madali po nilang lokohin at madali po nilang saktan na walang kalaban laban,” said Antimaro. 

(Our suspects are operating around SJDM and nearby towns. They victimize elderly people so they can easily fool and hit them.)

The suspects will be facing charges for robbery and homicide while the two male suspects will be slapped with additional charges for violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. 

GMA Integrated News sought comment from the suspects. They denied the allegations against them. 

Last February, a retired cop allegedly fell victim to the group, the report added. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News