Three unidentified persons on a motorcycle reportedly held up a cashier and a driver of the Sargaso Construction and Development Corporation at Burgos Street, Brgy. 18, in Bacolod City, at about 9:45 a.m. yesterday.

Cashier Marietta Pillone Labis, 51, married, of Purok Kabuhi, Brgy. 10, told the police she withdrew P114,000 in cash from the Land Bank of the Philippines intended for the salary of the firm's employees, and was accompanied by Renato Deramon Estrella, 45, single, of Purok Maanyag, Brgy. Alijis, driver of the Nissan Pick-up service vehicle, police reports said.

On their way back to the office, Labis asked Estrella to stop at Lacson-Burgos streets where she had to buy something, police reports said.

When she returned after a few seconds, Labis said she was aghast to see Estrella trembling in fear. He told her he had been held up by a man wearing a blue T-shirt, maong pants, baseball cap and sunglasses, who poked a firearm at him, police reports said.

Estrella told the police the hold-upper took his Nokia 3350 cellphone and P5,700 in cash, while another man took Labis' bag containing P114,000 in cash, her own money of P10,500 and other personal belongings, police reports said.

The hold-uppers boarded a single motorcycle and fled towards Lacson Street, the reports added.

Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, Bacolod City police director yesterday, said the Bacolod police are validating the identities of the suspects who were noted to have the same modus operandi as the persons also arrested for a robbery-hold-up at Lacson Street in the city last year.

Merced warned the public especially those withdrawing big amount of money from the banks to be more careful and vigilant to avoid being victimized by hold-uppers.*DMG

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