Mall operators urged to revisit security measures

MALACAÑANG called Monday on mall operators to restudy their security measures following a brazen robbery at a jewelry store inside SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said mall owners should take a look on their security features again and assure mall goers of their safety.

“It’s important (to note) that we have a culture of malling, that’s unique with the Filipinos…These malls have assumed a quasi-public character where, despite being owned privately, people do patronize malls and spend their weekends in malls whether they’re buying (something) or not,” he said.

At least four robbers, allegedly members of the notorious "Martilyo (Hammer) Gang", took away more than 150 pieces of jewelry at a branch of F & C Jewelry inside SM Megamall around 7:30 p.m. last Saturday.

The suspects wore white shirts and jeans and used a pipe wrench, which they bought from a hardware store inside the mall, to break the glass jewelry case during the swift robbery.

The heist lasted for only two minutes.

Authorities already identified the suspects based on the closed-circuit television footage taken from the mall.

Lacierda said the Philippine National Police (PNP) should work closely with mall owners and security agencies to ensure the safety of people going to malls.

He reiterated the need to implement a stricter gun control measures following consecutive incidents involving firearms despite the implementation of gun ban for the upcoming elections.

"That was the whole argument on pushing for a gun ban because those people who are not within the law will not observe the gun ban," he said. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)