Robbers kill Aussie bizman in Ajuy; P1.4M worth of cash, jewelry lost
Robbers killed an Australian businessman after taking more than P1.4 million in cash and jewelry inside his home in Ajuy town in Iloilo past midnight Tuesday.
Werner Holz, 62, died from at least 20 stab wounds after he fought three robbers inside the master's bedroom of their house in Barangay Pili in Ajuy, said Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Iloilo provincial police director, in a telephone interview on yesterday.
Ajuy is around 87 km northeast of Iloilo City.
Holz's Filipino wife Vivian Posadas-Holz, 31, was left tied up inside their bedroom by the robbers. She suffered bruises on the head after the robbers push her head against the wall to force her to open their vault, according to Dela Paz.
The robbers took from the vault around P200,000 and US$5,000 (P233,750 @ US$1:P46.75) in cash and jewelry amounting to P800,000.
The couple has been living in Ajuy for more than 10 years and engaged in various businesses.
Dela Paz said most of the money came from the couple's lending business. They also operate a piggery and engaged in buy and sell.
Police investigation showed that the robbers, armed with knives and handguns and wearing bonnets, entered the back door of the house which could have been left open by Holz after urinating outside their house around 12:30 a.m.
The robbers entered the couple's bedroom and tied up the couple and forced them to open their vault. Dela Paz said Holz fought against the robbers before he was killed.
The robbers fled less than an hour after entering the house but Vivian was only freed around 4 a.m. yesterday after their two household helpers woke up and went to the couple's bedroom.
Dela Paz said the couple had sought help but their shouts were muffled by the sound of the room's air condition unit. He said the helpers who heard the muffled shouts thought the couple were arguing.
Police yesterday launched a hunt for the robbers who are believed to be from the town or neighboring communities and with knowledge of the couple's businesses.