Mall security agency under investigation
By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:03:00 10/19/2009
Filed Under: Police, Security (general)
MANILA, Philippines—The National Capital Regional Police Office on Monday put under investigation the entire personnel of a security agency manning the swank mall in Makati City which several armed robbers stormed Sunday noon.
Director Roberto Rosales, NCRPO chief, expressed his dismay over the supposed failure of the 33 watchmen of Emirate Security Agency to help out the two police escorts of Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tiñga who engaged at least seven robbers in a brief gunfight.
The security company is owned by former Philippine National Police chief Edgardo Aglipay.
In a press briefing in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Rosales noted that the mall's security personnel breached several "standard operating procedures" in dealing with men brandishing long firearms and posing as policemen.
"If only five or 10 of them came to our men's rescue, then we could have probably neutralized those who entered the store," Rosales told reporters.
Footages taken by the closed circuit television cameras inside the Rolex shop showed that five men clad in black fatigue uniform entered the store, broke the glass displays with a hammer and placed expensive wristwatches in two tennis bags.
But before the robbers could get out, a security aide of Tiñga shot and killed one of the armed men.
Rosales said a fact-finding committee he created would make recommendations regarding the possible sanctions that the police might pursue against Aglipay's security agency.