Former MMA fighter foils robbery attempt

A former MMA fighter selling high-end liquor foiled a robbery attempt staged by three armed men who acted as interested buyers and instead held him and his wife, injuring the former when a scuffle ensued inside a rented AirBnB in Cubao.

P/Lt.Col. June Paolo Abrazado, Quezon City Police District, Cubao Police Station (PS 7) commander said they have arrested one of the suspects identified as Mark Anthony Babayo Montelibano, 45 years old, a resident of Block 70, Lot 22, Amarullo St., Rizal, Makati City, while his two (2) cohorts remain at-large.

Abrazado said victims Patrick Angelo Perez Gambe the former MMA fighter and his wife Karen Mae Macalinao Gambe, engaged in a prearranged transaction involving high-end alcoholic beverages. Acting as sellers, the victims coordinated with the suspects posing as buyers, who rented Unit 1628 of Gilmore Tower Condominium through AirBnB as the meeting place.

While the victims were waiting for the payment of eight (8) bottles of high-end liquor worth about P190,000.00 at the agreed meeting area, suspects, aiding and conspiring with each other, pulled their guns, pointed them at the victims, and declared a heist.

However, Perez managed to disarm suspect Montelibano, leading to a scuffle resulting in the gun that got fired, hitting the victim's left thigh. Despite the injury, the victim retained possession of the firearm and subdued Montelibano. Meanwhile, the two other suspects fled in an unknown direction, prompting the witness to seek assistance from the establishment's security personnel and subsequently called PS 7 for police assistance.

Upon receipt of the information, PS 7 operatives immediately responded as they brought the victim, who sustained a gunshot wound, to St. Luke Hospital, while suspect Montelibano, also injured, was apprehended and brought to QMMC Hospital.

Recovered pieces of evidence were: two (2) boxes of Louis XIII; six (6) assorted liquors; one (1) unit pistol; two (2) cable ties; one (1) sling bag; and one (1) cellular phone.

An ongoing manhunt operation is being conducted for the possible arrest of the remaining suspects. A case of robbery will be filed against them, while suspect Montelibano will be charged with violation of R.A. 10591, or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, Frustrated Murder, and Grave Threat, and will be referred to the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office.

"Binabati ko ang ating kapulisan sa maagap na pagresponde. Kami'y hindi titigil sa pagsugpo ng mga krimen sa ating lungsod upang matiyak ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa ating komunidad ay mananaig," QCPD Director P/Brig.Gen. Redrico Maranan commended the PS 7 operatives.