Pro-7 receives report: Martilyo Gang in Visayas; mall security tightened

CEBU, Philippines - Police have tightened security around big shopping malls in Cebu after receiving reports that “Martilyo Gang,” the group that recently robbed millions worth of je-welries inside a mall in Cagayan de Oro City, has already entered Visayas.

Superintendent Pablo Labra II, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division-7, said they are coordinating with mall operators as well as security officers in the strict implementation of security measures inside malls and other establishments.

“We already released a memorandum to our lower units to coordinate with security officers of shopping malls and also to conduct intelligence monitoring to malls as well as to places where there are financial institutions,” said Labra.

It was earlier reported that Martilyo (hammer) Gang robbed P2-million worth of jewelries at an M. Lhuillier branch inside SM City Mall in Cagayan de Oro last Tuesday.

The group used hammers and grips, which they bought at a hardware store inside the same mall prior to the heist.

Labra said that among other security measures they have suggested to mall operators is to prohibit shoppers from wearing bull caps and bringing backpacks inside the mall.

Police also suggested to hardware store owners to have security guards escort shoppers who buy big and metallic tools that can be used in smashing windows and doors like hammers, grips, and baseball bats, upon leaving the mall, and if the shopper still has to go around the mall, the items bought shall be depo-sited to baggage counters.

For jewelry shops, it was suggested not to situate je-welry stands near entry points of their store.

Police are also validating an intelligence report received from a reliable source that the said robbery group will be disposing the jewelries here.

“There is a probability that they are here aron tunawon ug dinhi i-dispose ang mga alahas,” said Labra.

Senior Superintendent Conrado Capa, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, said precautionary measures will be done even if they are still validating the report.

“We will instruct RID and all intelligence officers of all regions to intensify intelligence, then establishments to double security measures and be stricter on the screening of customers and on metal detection,” said Capa.

Based on previous reports, Martilyo Gang has attacked various jewelry stores inside SM shopping malls in Metro Manila using the same modus operandi of using hammers. —/NSA (FREEMAN)