Several security lapses noted during SM Megamall robbery

ANOTHER robber captured on a CCTV camera. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines—Several security lapses have been committed by SM Megamall guards when robbers got away with still undetermined worth of jewels last Saturday, a Philippine National Police official said Monday.

Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III, of the PNP’s Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA, said it was observed that the security guards were unarmed when suspected members of Martilyo Gang stormed the jewellery stores F and C, and The Jeweller around 8 p.m. Saturday.

He also said the mall’s security personnel failed to cordon off the area to prevent the robbers, suspected to have been composed of four to five members, from escaping.

Rentoy said the mall’s security personnel were from four different agencies, but said that they were looking into the Lambdan Security Agency.

Meanwhile, SOSIA’s Senior Superintendent Buenaventura Viray Jr. said that if proven to have committed negligence, the security agency’s officers will be made to pay a fine of P50,000 for the first offense, or have their license cancelled if found to have committed carelessness for the second time.

For the security guards, Viray said they may be suspended from one to 30 days and are usually recommended for a re-training. Their licenses may also be revoked on their second offense.