Lending collector mauled, robbed

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Two of three suspects were arrested after they allegedly mauled and robbed a 41-year-old lending collector in Barangay Malingin, Bago City, Negros Occidental, last Tuesday.

Police withheld the names of the two arrested suspects, aged 21 and 25, both residents of Barangay Taloc.

Based on the police investigation, the victim was driving his motorcycle when he was waylaid by the suspects in a sugarcane field around 3:20 p.m.

Two of the suspects were reportedly armed with bamboo poles. One of them allegedly attempted to hit the victim’s head, but he managed to block the attack.

The victim, however, fell to the ground. This prompted the perpetrators to gang up and maul him.

Afterward, the suspects reportedly took the victim’s cellphone worth P10,000 and cash amounting to P4,000.

Police recovered two bamboo poles allegedly used by the suspects from the scene.

Two of the suspects were arrested by police in a pursuit operation, while their 26-year-old companion remains at large.

Meanwhile, a 29-year-old man died after drowning in a river at Hacienda Candelaria, Barangay Purisima, Manapla town, last Tuesday.

According to the police, the victim and his friend reportedly had a drinking session before the victim went swimming.

The victim allegedly went to the deep portion of the river and was swept away by a strong current. His friend tried to rescue him but to no avail.

About 40 minutes later, the victim was found floating under a bridge in the area.

He was rushed to the Rural Health Center but was declared dead, according to the police.