Money Changer Robbed at Gunpoint in Quezon City; Suspect Used Airsoft Pistol

Money Changer Robbed at Gunpoint in Quezon City; Suspect Used Airsoft Pistol

By Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNationWeek.Com October 9, 2025

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – A brazen robbery targeting a money changer along Tomas Morato Ave. in Quezon City was caught on CCTV, leading to the swift arrest of the suspect.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon (October 4, 2025), involved a 25-year-old male who used an airsoft pistol to commit the crime.

CCTV footage showed the suspect, dressed in black and carrying a bag, approach the money changer and brandish a gun.

He then demanded money from the victim.

Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over a bag containing ₱500,000.

The suspect then fled the scene in a red vehicle.

According to the victim, the suspect inquired about exchange rates for euros and US dollars.

They discussed the rates, and when the victim agreed, the suspect called over an accomplice and handed over the money.

The suspect then left the money changer shop, only to return and pull out what the victim believed to be a real gun.

“The suspect demanded everything. Out of fear, the victim handed over the bag containing ₱500,000, and the suspect quickly escaped,” PLt. Col. Zachary Capellan, chief of Kamuning Police Station 10, said.

Police launched a manhunt operation and located the suspect in Pasig City on Monday (October 6, 2025).

The suspect’s vehicle was found parked inside a condominium compound in Pasig City, Capellan said.

“We immediately coordinated with the condominium management, and a security guard identified the suspect based on descriptions,” he added.

Authorities recovered ₱400,000 of the stolen ₱500,000, a cellphone, the getaway vehicle, and the airsoft pistol with a magazine.

Police records showed the suspect has a prior record for qualified theft in 2023.

He will face charges of robbery and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.