Police puzzled by Manila bank robbers’ timing

MANILA, Philippines -Manila police chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. on Thursday said he finds it unusual that robbers who struck a bank in Binondo, Manila easily gained entry to the establishment before the designated banking hours.

“Kung makikita kasi natin yung mga CCTV footages, the suspects entered the bank which is before 9 a.m. The rule is it should be exactly or after 9 a.m.,” Danao said.

Police officers maintain a security perimeter outside a Metrobank brach in Sto. Cristo, Binondo, Manila after 7 individuals robbed the bank on Thursday, July 11, 2019. INQUIRER/Grig C. Montegrande

“But unfortunately, according sa CCTV natin, the suspects entered the bank at 8:43, which is very unusual para sa isang bangko na magbukas before the banking hours (Based on the CCTV footage, the suspects entered the bank at 8:43 a.m. It’s very unusual for a bank to open its doors before banking hours),” Danao pointed out.

Danao said that of the seven suspects involved in the robbery at the Metrobank branch in Binondo, five actually entered the bank while the other two served as lookouts.

He did not confirm whether or not money was taken from the bank and the number of employees inside the bank.

Responding police officers were only allowed to enter the bank two hours after the incident when Manila Mayor Isko Moreno arrived at the scene, Danao said. /gsg

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