(UPDATE 7) 9 dead in Laguna bank robbery
One of 2 missing cops surfaces to clear name
By Thea Alberto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 10:38:00 05/16/2008
Filed Under: Robbery, theft,Crime, Law & Justice
MANILA, Philippines -- At least nine people were confirmed dead and one in critical condition in a bank robbery in Laguna province, a police official said.
Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, Calabarzon police director, said seven of the casualties, who were found inside the bank, were identified as employees of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) while another was a client. The ninth victim, a security guard on duty, was found outside, he said.
All of them were shot in the head. Two of them were seen near the vault, said Padilla.
Padilla said one of two security guards who were reported missing surfaced later in the day to clear his name. Their absence earlier in the day led authorities to suspect that they were involved in the robbery.
Padilla identified the fatalities as Roberto Castro, bank manager; Ma. Theresa Umayam, teller; Olga Gonzales, new accounts teller; Benjamin Lidao, junior teller; Bernardo Lapaan, customer's cashier; Noel Miranda, operational assistant; Juan Layva, janitor; Ferdinand Antonio, a client; and Aguilando Baltazar, security guard.
Recovered from the crime scene were spent shells from a .38 revolver, 9-millimeter, and .45 caliber pistols, said Padilla.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and extended her condolences to the families of the victims as she vowed justice for them, Deputy Palace Spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo said.
"The President has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation on the incident so that the responsible be brought before the bar of justice," Fajardo said.
Padilla said the murders were discovered when RCBC clients alerted police on why the bank was not opened at the usual time of 9 a.m. It was also possible that the victims knew the robbers since they all had to be killed inside the bank, he added.
"This is not the handiwork of humans. This was perpetrated by animals," Padilla said on local television.
Initial investigation showed that the robbers were able to cart away a still undetermined amount of money because the bank vault was open, he said.
"Definitely may nawawala [something is missing], bukas yung vault ang ibang pera nakakalat pa [the vault is open and some cash are littered on the floor]," said Padilla.
Meanwhile, police recovered a white Toyota Revo with no plate number in Turbina, Calamba City which belonged to one of the slain bank employees. Padilla said the robbers used it as a getaway vehicle.
A task group was also created for the immediate capture of the suspects, he added.
Police have erected roadblocks in the region and the identities of certain motorists are being checked, said Philippine National Police spokesman Nicanor Bartolome.
The Task Force RCBC will be composed of investigators from the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Regional Crime Laboratory, Traffic Management Group, Laguna Police Provincial Office, and the Civil Security Group, according to a police statement.
PNP Director General Avelino Razon also instructed Police Director Silverio Alarcio, directorate for operations chief, to convene the Joint Anti-Bank Robbery Council (JABRAC) and the Bank Security Management Association (BSMA) for a smooth implementation of new security measures.
Lira D. Fernandez, INQUIRER.net with reports from Romulo Ponte, Inquirer Southern Luzon; and Marlon Ramos, Philippine Daily Inquirer
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