Isko Moreno questions Metrobank’s security protocol on robberies

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno offers on Thursday, July 11, a P1 million reward for the capture of 7 suspects in the Metrobank Binondo robbery incident. Faye Orellana / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is questioning Metrobank’s security protocol after it refused to immediately allow police officers to enter its Binondo branch to conduct an investigation following a reported robbery Thursday.

Metrobank according to Manila Police Chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. only allowed police officers to enter the bank branch some two hours after the robbery.

He said that if not with the presence of Moreno, bank personnel would not have assisted them.

READ: Police puzzled by Manila bank robbers’ timing

The bank personnel said they are only following the rules set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“No amount of rule — even BSP — cannot intervene in police operation or investigation… If you will not cooperate, especially we have doubts in our mind, kailangan ma-erase ang doubts ng policemen sa initial na impormasyon,” Moreno told reporters.

Moreno also questioned the timing of the robbery saying the robbers managed to enter the bank before the start of banking hours. However, police officers were not allowed to enter the bank branch because of the bank’s security rules.

“If there’s abuse on the part of the chief security of the bank, of the branch head, whoever calls the situation in interfering police operation, we will make them liable and we will think they are part of the criminal elements,” he added.

Moreno also questioned how the robbers knew where the close circuit television cameras (CCTVs) were located at the bank branch.

“Tell me, before banking hours, kumakatok at 8:43, bubuksan mo ang pintuan? Holdupper alam saan ang CCTV? Now you tell me, ano ba tayo, malisyoso? Kailangan lang natin pagdudahan… Humawak ‘yung suspect, may fingerprint. Eh hinawakan din nila ang fingerprint,” Moreno said.

Moreno has offered a P1 million reward for information that could help police arrest the bank robbers.

READ: Isko Moreno offers P1M reward for arrest of suspects in Binondo bank robbery

In a statement, Metrobank condemned the robbery as it also assured that none of its employees were harmed.

Authorities did not say how much cash was lost in the robbery.  /muf

READ: Metrobank says no clients affected by Binondo branch robbery