Our hearts bleed for the murdered Bankers in Laguna

Woe to the the robbers who killed the 10 bankers. . .

Today we send our most heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of these brave innocent souls.

Today 10 lives have been ended, many more lives of their loved ones shattered, the futures of their children uncertain.

Requiescant in Pace . . .

Bank robbers massacre 10
The Philippine Star

Ed Amoroso 
Saturday, May 17, 2008

CABUYAO, Laguna – Nine bank employees and a security guard were lined up and shot dead yesterday in what police described as one of the bloodiest bank robberies in history.

Nine of the victims were found sprawled on the floor of a branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) in Barangay Pulo here, after the bank failed to open as scheduled at 9 a.m., triggering the suspicion of customers who alerted the police, according to Calabarzon regional police director Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla.

The 10th victim, also a ranking employee of the bank, succumbed to gunshot wounds in the head while being treated at the St. James Hospital.

Police identified the victims as Roberto Panganiban Castro, the bank’s branch manager; Ferdinand Bernard Antonio, bank teller Benjamin Manalo Nicdao Jr., bank commercial manager Bernardo Lapaan Jr., operations assistant Noel Olaes Miranda, janitor Juan Marza Layva and security guard Aguilando Baltazar.

The two female victims were Olga Gonzalez and Teresita Umayao.

The bank’s customer relations manager Isagani Pastor later died at the hospital.

All were found sprawled on the floor with a single gunshot wound to their heads. Two bodies were found inside the open bank vault.

Police said the bodies showed no bruises or other signs that they resisted.

“This is the handiwork of the devil and we will not let this pass,” Padilla said. “They were killed in a gangland-style execution – each of the victims shot in the head while lined up.”