Hold upper has a change of heart, returns part of loot

COTABATO CITY (PNA) – A hold upper hid in the rear section of the collection van owned by the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (Magelco) and patiently waited for hours as the cashier made the rounds of Magelco’s outlets before he sprung his heist in Barangay Katalungan, Datu Odin, Maguindanao.

The unidentified gun man held up cashier Hanna Malang, security guard Basit Benito and Gerome Romuar, the driver of the Toyota D4D collection van of Magelco and made away with 1.6 million.

But for still unknown reasons, the suspect sent back 1.3 million.

According to Datu Odin Sinsuat police chief Sr. Supt. Lindsy Sinsuat, Magelco general manager Sultan Maongco confirmed that Benito returned 1.3 million of the total loot.

According to Sinsuat, Maongco said the security guard personally handed over the money to him.

In another puzzle confronting authorities, no one could explain why the suspect retained 300,000 of the loot.

"The manager is still negotiating with the holdupper for the return of remaining 300,000," Sinsuat said.

Malang, Benito and Romuar were heading back to the Magelco main office in Barangay Capiton from a collection run when a masked man suddenly came out of hiding from the rear part of the van and declared the holdup in Barangay Katalungan, Datu Odin, Maguindanao.

Armed with cal. 45 pistol, the lone gunman tied the victims' hands with duct tape then fled.

Maongco told Sinsuat that he gave the suspects until September 2 to return the remaining amount or they will be charged accordingly.