Robbers dig way into supermarket

MANILA, Philippines—The vault of a supermarket in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, was found open and empty after an apparent robbery was discovered Monday morning with the police still trying to determine just how much was taken.

Initial information showed that security officials of Makati South Supermarket in Ayala Alabang found out about the robbery at around 8 a.m. just as the establishment was about to open.

“At around 8 a.m., the officer in charge of security at the Makati Supermarket discovered a hole in the [floor of the supermarket] lobby. Moreover, rooms on the first and second floor were forcibly opened, including a vault in one of the offices,” Southern Police District spokesperson, Chief Insp. Jenny Tecson, said in a text message.

The management of the supermarket told the police that the money in the vault, which was being kept in one of the offices in the supermarket, was missing, along with four .38 cal. revolvers.

“Initial investigation revealed that a tunnel was dug that served as the point of entry of the suspects but the origin of the tunnel is still unknown,” Tecson added.

The store is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and the police said the robbery apparently happened after the supermarket shut down for the day.

They recovered a jackhammer which was used to dig the tunnel along with an acetylene torch that was utilized to open the vault.

Muntinlupa police officials could not be immediately sought for comment but Tecson said the police were still investigating the robbery.