Cops foil bank robbery in Laguna

LAGUNA, Philippines — Police officers thwarted an attempt by suspected members of a robbery group to rob a bank in Bay town in this province on Friday afternoon.

The suspects, who were reportedly members of the Termite Gang, entered a branch of the Plan Bank located in Barangay Dila by digging a tunnel, according to Col. Cecilio Ison Jr., Laguna police director.

“The robbers were able to break the bank’s floor and tried but failed to open the vault with the use of an acetylene torch,” Ison said.

The bank’s alarm system, which was connected to the local police and the bank’s main office went off, drawing police officers to the site.

“Responding police officers cordoned the area overnight and waited for the manager to arrive and open the bank,” Ison said.

The bank manager confirmed that no cash or valuables were missing.

“We are reviewing footage taken by several closed-circuit television cameras installed at the bank and in nearby construction areas to identify the robbers,” Ison said.