After Greenbelt 5 robbery: Police to tackle measures with mall security officers

CEBU, Philippines - Police will be meeting tomorrow all security officers of malls including financial institution officers in Cebu regarding the guidelines in implementing security measures.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the Cebu City Police Office, yesterday said the meeting is set as an offshoot to an incident in Greenbelt 5 in Makati City last Friday noon where heavily armed men barged into a store and began shattering the glass panels where expensive wristwatches were displayed.

Comendador said that they will propose their operational security protocols during the meeting to further strengthen the malls’ security measures. If an agreement is eventually arrived at, they will then implement their inputs through simulation drills, he said.

The meeting will be attended by the Police Regional Operation and Planning Division and the Regional Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Unit-7. Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City Police Offices were also invited to attend the said meeting at 9 a.m.

Comendador said they will also put up a system for security guards to properly coordinate with the police in case uniformed enforcers will try to enter an establishment.

As reported, the security guard of Greenbelt failed to coordinate with the police when the suspects entered the establishment. Manila Police also noted that none of the 33 security guards on post even tried to fire at the suspects.

In a report over radio station dyAB, the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators (PADPAO) will have all security guards of various agencies in Cebu City and the province of Cebu to undergo rigid training.

Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez also said yesterday that security guards should be oriented of all the uniforms of the Philippine National Police.

In last Friday’s incident, the suspects, wearing black “Bomb Squad” uniforms, carted away expensive wristwatches estimated to be worth P3 million to P4 million.

An exchange of gunfire, which reportedly lasted for five minutes, ensued between the group and two Taguig City policemen who chanced upon the robbers. One of the suspects was shot dead while the four others escaped. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)