PAOCTF urged to focus on bank robbers

Rep. Ernesto Herrera (Lakas, Bohol) urged yesterday the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) to focus on bank robbers now that it has neutralized kidnapping syndicates.

"In the past, the PAOCTF showed that it is capable of dismantling kidnap-for-ransom syndicates through resolute action and efficient intelligence work. They should now use the same tested formula in running after well-entrenched bank robbers," he said.

The task force is concurrently headed by Philippine National Police chief Director General Panfilo Lacson.

Citing a PNP report, Herrera said nine banks lost a total of P38.4 million to robbers in the first four months of this year, compared to P41.6 million taken from 28 banks the whole of last year.

He said the January-April figure does not include the P2 million taken by robbers from the Real Bank branch in Antipolo City in Rizal last May 12.

The biggest heist during the period involved an armored van of Far East Bank that was robbed of P22.6 million in Irosin, Sorsogon last month. A bank teller died in the incident.

Also last month, the LandBank branch in Banaue, Ifugao lost P10 million to robbers.

"Right now, there seems to be no deliberate effort on the part of law enforcers to run after bank robbers," Herrera said.

He said policemen simply wait to respond to bank robberies instead of waging a crackdown on syndicates that victimize banks.

"We need deliberate and pro-active law enforcement to neutralize these gangs before they become bolder, attack more banks and hurt more people in the process," he said.

He added that unabated robberies also discourage people from putting their money in the bank.

The Bohol congressman urged Lacson's task force to use part of its huge intelligence fund to dismantle bank robbery gangs. -