Pinoy jailed, caned for robbing burger joint in Singapore

A Filipino is facing five years in jail and 24 strokes of cane for robbing some S$6,000 (P210,000) from a burger joint in Singapore earlier this year, according to a report on news site Today. Charlie Cabo Perez, 32, pleaded guilty to armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and criminal breach of trust. Perez, who used to work as an assistant manager at Burger King’s National University of Singapore outlet, also misappropriated S$800 (P28,000) of the food chain’s money. Perez’s pre-trial conference will be held on Sept. 7. Investigation showed the robbery occurred on April 16, when he went to the chain’s Esplanade X-change branch at Bras Basah Road shortly after midnight. Perez impersonated a building maintenance officer, prompting the outlet’s assistant manager Vito Lorielyn Mesajon to let him in. Once inside, Perez took out a bread knife and ordered her to open the company’s safe. Mesajon complied as she feared for her safety. Perez then led Mesajon to the outlet’s kitchen area and tied her up with duct tape. He fled with S$6,000. Investigation also showed Perez had targeted another Burger King outlet at International Plaza in Tanjong Pagar about two months later. But he left empty-handed after spotting a Burger King employee reporting for work. Perez was suspected to have an accomplice initially identified as Filipina Porte Gerald Christina Magsalubong, 23. — JE, GMA News