Camarines sur: Police arrested a robbery and shooting suspect in Lupi, Camarines Sur, about eight hours after he allegedly shot a driver during a hold-up in Basud, Camarines Norte, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-5 chief Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio said the suspect was arrested in the town's Barangay Napolidan following a coordinated pursuit involving police units from the two provinces. The incident occurred at around 9:30 a.m. at Metal Bridge in Barangay Tuaca, Basud, where the suspect, who was reportedly a passenger of a utility vehicle traveling from Naga City to Daet, allegedly declared a hold-up and attempted to take the belongings of other passengers.

Silvio stated that the suspect opened the vehicle door after standing up, but the driver suddenly moved the vehicle forward, allegedly prompting the suspect to fire at him. The driver was hit in the chest. The suspect then fled on foot toward the mountainous area of Bicol Natural Park, prompting police to launch a pursuit operation.

Personnel from the Basud Municipal Police Station, Camarines Norte Provincial Intelligence Unit, Camarines Norte Provincial Intelligence and Detective Management Unit, Camarines Norte 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Lupi Municipal Police Station joined the operation to track the suspect and identify possible escape routes. Police recovered about PHP24,000 in cash, three cellular phones, and a wallet from the suspect, which authorities believe may have been taken from the robbery victims.

Also seized was a pistol marked "ARMSCOR," believed to be a caliber .45 firearm, with one live ammunition loaded in the chamber, one steel magazine, and six additional rounds. Appropriate criminal charges are being prepared against the suspect.