2 wounded in Muntinlupa mall shooting

MANILA, Philippines — A security guard and a suspected robber were wounded after they figured in a firefight at a mall in Muntinlupa City, police said.

In an initial report reaching Camp Crame, it said the melee started when one of the security guards of the Alabang Town Center accosted the armed men entering the lobby of the ATC Madrigal gate around 10:15 a.m., said Chief Superintendent  Benito Estipona, Southern Police District director.

The men opened fire on the security guard, causing him to shoot back, Estipona said.

The guard, identified only as “Tablada”, was wounded while one of the armed men, Pepito Paler, who was identified based on his ID card sustained a bullet wound to the head. They were brought to a nearby hospital.

Recovered from Paler was a Caspian .45 with serial no. 486315.

Paler’s companions apparently fled but Estipona said police were still clearing the basement “because that’s where they may have hidden.”

Police has not determined why the armed men entered the mall.

“But there are a lot of banks and money-changers in the area,”
Estipona noted, implying they may have planned to pull a robbery.

All concerned personnel have been ordered to conduct pursuit operations.

On its Facebook account, the Alabang Town Center administration posted that it has closed the mall as of noontime.

“In light of the incident along
Madrigal Ave., Alabang Town Center is working closely with Muntinlupa Police, our security agency and property management to maintain and ensure the safety of our customers, our merchants and the mall.”

“Please be advised that Alabang Town Center is closed for operations. We shall advise normalization of mall operations upon clearance from the police authorities.”

Originally posted at 12:17 p.m.