Friend say robbery victim Santelices 'improving'

MANILA, Philippines - The medical condition of Antonia Marina “Tara" Santelices, the 23-year-old girl who was shot in the head during a heist in Cainta last month, has significantly improved, a television report said Wednesday. In a report by GMANews’ 24 Oras. a friend of Santelices, who was identified only as “Remy", said the victim’s condition has improved a lot. "Napakalaki ng improvement. Dati hindi talaga siya gumagalaw. Reflexes lang. Ngayon bumubukas na 'yung mga mata niya. Nakakausap na namin. Minsan pinapagalaw namin ‘yung ulo. Pakiramdam namin ginagalaw niya para sa amin. Naririning na niya kami ngayon," the friend said. Santelices was shot August 6, the day of her 23rd birthday, while she was on board a jeepney passing through Imelda Ave. She has been fighting for her life for almost a month now as pieces of shrapnel are still lodged in her brain. Doctors at the Medical City in Pasig have balked at extracting shrapnel from her brain which in her present condition would require a delicate “high risk" surgery that could further endanger the patient’s life. Remy added that she was very pleased after a credible witness showed up at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to testify regarding the incident. "Nakita niya nung panahon pa na kalmado lahat so mas ma-iidentify niya 'yung itsura," Remy said. “Buong time ako lang nagbibigay ng statement siya ‘yung pinaka credible kasi ung position niya nung panahon na yon,"she added. On Tuesday, a man - who asked to be called “Gerry" – testified he was on the same jeepney Tara was riding and that he tried to disarm the thief but had second thoughts because he wanted to protect his life. Remy said she admired the courage of Gerry, adding that his recollection could strengthen their chance of finally identifying the assailant. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV