Local officials forewarned on new modus operandi in bank, pawnshop robberies

Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) on Monday forewarned local officials on the new modus operandi being used
by organized syndicates in robbing jewelry shops, pawnshops, and banks.
Robredo issued the warning after the Chamber of Pawnshops of the Philippines (CPPI)
revealed to him and officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) its members’
accounts of the operations. The CPPI sought the DILG-PNP’s assistance in preventing
robberies in the said establishments through the participation of barangay officials.
Secretary Robredo said, based on the information provided by CPPI, that local and
police officials should be on alert when individuals rent out vacant business space at
the side of, or on top, or at the back of an existing pawnshop, bank, or jewelry shop.
He said these groups go about their operations at night, especially during long
weekends. They start by disconnecting the alarm systems and security cameras of the
target establishments, and drilling through the adjoining walls as entry points through
the use of advanced equipment; after which, they will forcibly open the vault with
portable acytelene and cart away valuable materials such as cash and jewelry items, he
added.
In case there are no vacant spaces for rent close to the establishment, and if it is
located near creeks or waterways, the DILG Secretary said these syndicates resort to
forcible entry, underground tunneling or passing through big drainage systems along
the street fronting the target establishment.
“In this case, they open the floor of the vault of the pawnshop as entry point, forcibly
open the vault and take away all the valuable items in the vault,” he said.
In his directive, Robredo specifically called on all barangay officials, as chairpersons of
the Barangay Peace and Order Committee, to immediately mobilize on a regular basis
their barangay tanods for rounds, especially during night time and wee hours of the
day.
“Barangay officials should closely coordinate with and immediately report to the local
police any suspicious movements or persons/characters roaming in areas near the said
establishments so that the latter can undertake more in-depth surveillance and make
the necessary arrests,” he said.
The DILG Secretary also urged barangays to disseminate information on the new
modus operandi to their constituents, including civil society organizations, to widen
public awareness and support for the prevention of such incidents in their areas.
“You should also coordinate with the city/municipal peace and order council so that
such incidents may be addressed in the local peace and order plan,” Robredo advised
the barangay officials.