THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Northern Mindanao has warned all business and financial establishments against possible attacks of a robbery group known as "Acetylene or Termite gang."
All police regional directors have been ordered to direct the lower units to remind business establishments particularly banks, pawnshops, money remittance centers, and other possible targets of the said robbery gang, including city treasurer’s office of the local government units.
The order came from Chief PNP Ronald Dela Rosa during a press conference at Camp Crame last Monday, October 30.
Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said they received the instruction from PRO-Northern Mindanao last Tuesday, October 31. It was then forwarded to the different police stations and other units of Cocpo.
Hortillosa said they have started meeting and reminding the management of banks and other financial institutions against the modus of the Acetylene or Termite robbery group.
Hortillosa explained that termite group are those who rent a space beside their would-be victims and then digs up a hole so they can pass through and execute their plan.
Hortillosa added they are also called Acetylene gang because they make use of acetylene device to open up bank vaults.
"Kaning termite gang gaabang ni sila kilid sa bangko or sa ilang target nga victim ug magkalot para makaagi sila paingon sa establishment unya gagamit silag acetylene aron maabrihan nila ang vault kay lisod mani abrihan tungod sa lock," Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa said a pawnshop in the city was previously attacked by these group and the police are now monitoring their presence so they could not further victimized other financial firms.
Hortillosa said Cocpo is focusing on anti-criminality after they were stripped with the power to conduct anti-illegal drug operations.
"Didto sa Luzon daghan insidente ani pero sa ato dili kaayo kini nga modus busa atong gihingusgan karon kay basin moatake sa ato ni nga grupo," Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa reminds business establishments to be vigilant and cautious with their surrounding premises or institution.
The establishments are also urged to report immediately to authorities of any suspicious activities of the neighboring firms.
"Dili ta magkumpyansa ug kanunay magbantay sa palibot nga mga gaabang pud kay kini nga grupo magpuyo ni sila daan aron dili sila madisturbo sa ilang plano nga kawatan ang tapad nga bangko or pawnshop," Hortillosa said.