MANILA - Ernesto and Jimmy Domingo said they were deeply shocked when they heard the report that their brother Armando was shot and killed. They said however that they were more surprised when they learned that their brother died in the shootout at the luxury watch store heist in Greenbelt 5 mall Sunday noon.

The two, who are in Isabela, said that never did they think of Armando being involved with a criminal group or their brother would be involved in anything illegal.

“Hindi ako naniniwala dahil mabait ang kapatid ko, mabait siya sa aming magkakapatid. Posibleng nasama sa barkada,” said Jimmy of his brother.

Armando was a former member of the government militia in Barangay San Jose in San Mariano in Isabela province.

His brothers said they last saw Armando Sept. 15 when he borrowed money, they said, that was supposed to help him apply for a job.

A brother said Armando may have become involved in the heist because he did not have money.

“Bihira siyang magkapera kaya posibleng nagawa na niya iyon,” said Ernesto.

The two brothers said that it is now their problem how to get Armando’s remains home to Isabela. They were seeking the assistance from barangay officials.

The two were busy preparing Armando’s house where his wake would be held.

Senior Police Officer 1 Xavier Cerina, San Mariano town police investigator meanwhile said that Armando had a pending warrant of arrest for a frustrated murder charge.

Armando was the lone suspect slain in the brazen Sunday noontime heist by heavily-armed robbers at the Rolex watch store in the posh mall in Makati City. He was killed by a member of a city mayor’s security detail who chanced upon the ongoing robbery. Armando was reported to have sustained 6 bullet wounds including one in the head.

A caliber .45 pistol and a "grenade launcher" which was later found to have only been a toy replica were reportedly recovered from him.

Armando was only identified after a relative called to claim his body, police said a day after the heist.

The other perpetrators of Sunday’s heist reportedly of the Alvin Flores and Colangco groups were still the subject of a police manhunt. From a report of Harris Julio, ABS-CBN Northeastern Luzon