A security guard was killed while another was wounded after the steel mill they were looking after in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental was robbed on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

Robbers handcuffed the 58-year-old security guard before shooting him to death. The other security guard was wounded and is recuperating in a hospital.

Police said the suspects carted away around P1.3 million worth of money and jewelry items.

An official of the company said the incident may be a retaliation following a foiled robbery in March during which the guards shot the suspects. 

“Dako kayo mi og pagsubo kay wala mi nagdahom nga maingon ani ang sitwasyon kay ang katung last nga bulan March 22 naa pud to’y attempt dadto nga kawat sa scrap didto sila miagi sa koral. Unya napusilan man to sila atong guard nato sa CUMC unya naigo man to among paminaw murag nag-resbak sila ba,” Mindanao Talakag Steel Corporation HR Manager, Rosaoro Pepito, said.

Investigators said around three people entered the factory while another served as a lookout.

Authorities arrested one of the truck drivers of the company considered as as a person of interest. Recovered from the truck driven by alias “Andrew” was a sachet of suspected shabu.

“Isa sa mga link niya sa gawas apil tung mga suspects nga tulisan naay connection sa drugs. Ang cctv nag-suggest man gud nga everytime mugawas siya naa didto sa footage nagsunod sa iyaha tung mga suspek at the same time assailant,” Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office Director, Colonel Cholijun Caduyac, said.

However, alias “Andrew” denied the allegations, albeit admitting he is using drugs. 

“Ang ako lang sir ba ikastorya hinaot ko nga masulbad ni nga problema nga wala gyud koy kalibutan gyud kay inosente ko ana nga panahon,” alias “Andrew” said.

Authorities have launched a hunt for the suspects. 

“Duha raman ang mahitabo ani they will be subject to manhunt operation and I assure nga kung magsugod nata sa atong manhunt the strong arm of the law catch up with them at the same time naa ra nila basta kay ang pulis will seek justice,” Caduyac said.