Gas station robbery in Tuba, Benguet: Gunmen escape with P260K cash

Tuba — A hot pursuit operation is ongoing in Benguet for the arrest of two individuals who allegedly robbed a gasoline station in Barangay Camp 3, Tuba, on Sunday night, May 24.

Based on the initial findings of authorities, as cited by national and local media outlets, employees of the establishment were about to secure the day’s earnings after finishing the counting of sales when the incident happened.

While the money was laid on a table and about to be deposited inside a vault, the still unidentified robbers suddenly entered the station and pointed a firearm at the workers.

Caught off guard, the employees were unable to resist as the suspects immediately grabbed the cash amounting to P260,000 before rushing out of the establishment.

Moments later, the workers shouted for help, prompting several bystanders nearby to chase the suspects.

However, the armed men allegedly fired their guns toward the pursuers, forcing them to stop and take cover. Fortunately, no one was reported injured during the incident.

Witnesses said the two men were wearing black jackets, long pants, and black balaclavas. They reportedly fled the crime scene onboard a motorcycle without helmets.

The following morning, May 25, police operatives were able to trace the alleged getaway motorcycle after receiving information from a concerned citizen.

The vehicle was later found abandoned in a ravine in Sitio Antamok, Barangay Camp 4, around 500 meters away from the gasoline station where the robbery occurred.

As of this writing, manhunt operations are still ongoing for the identification and arrest of the suspects.

In a Facebook post, the Tuba Municipal Police Station appealed to residents, motorists, and business owners near the area to submit any available CCTV or dashcam footage recorded between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, which may help investigators identify the robbers.

For any information, Tuba MPS may be contacted through cellphone number 09985987794 or through its official Facebook page.