Armed men storm bank in Sta. Cruz

Heavily-armed holdup men stormed a bank in Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday afternoon carting away in just two minutes an undetermined amount of cash and jewelry from employees and customers.

With two pistol-packing men initially barging in and disarming the two security guards of the Westmont bank branch on Quiricada street -- joined by accomplices with assault rifles -- the robbers were unmolested although the nearest police station was just about 100 meters away.

Western Police District (WPD) head Chief Superintendent Avelino Razon Jr. was reportedly infuriated by the incident especially because he arrived at the crime site ahead of everybody else. The Alvarez police sub-station is located nearby.

Based on the initial report of WPD Theft and Robbery Unit chief Superintendent Efren Perez to Razon, two of the armed men came to the bank around 1:55 p.m.

But before they could be frisked for firearms, the two holdup men poked their pistols at security guards Eddie Bagasbas, 42, and Jeffrey Tantiado and ordered them to lie on the floor.

Soon, a maroon Tamaraw FX (WCC-808) arrived in front of the bank and four men with M-16 and Galil assault rifles came in and secured the premises.

Some of the men then scooped the cash in the tellers' booths then took the valuables and cash of the employees and customers. The group did not make any attempt to open the bank vault, bank manager Donato Plata told police.

Two other men reportedly waited in the FX van during the two-minute heist.

The group escaped towards Dimasalang street in the direction of Quezon City.

The bank robbery was the second in Manila in the last four months and the first major crime incident since Razon reassumed his post at the helm of the WPD.