Caloocan cops focus on securing banks

The Caloocan police force is now on high alert status to deter bank robberies in the city.

"We are now concentrating on bank security as more robbery incidents are anticipated because of the hard times," said Station Intelligence and Investigation Division (SIID) chief Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo.

This developed as the head of the association of banks in Caloocan advised member-banks not to depend solely on the police for security, urging them to be more vigilant even inside their respective premises.

Josefina Panganiban, branch manager of the Metrobank Samson Road branch and president of the Caloocan Bankers’ Association (CBA) said bankers are generally satisfied with the initiatives being done by the local police in trying to secure the banks and assure their clients’ safety.

"We are satisfied with what (city police chief) Senior Superintendent Benjardi Mentale and his men have done so far to make us feel safe," Panganiban said in an interview.

Borromeo said that aside from improving visibility near possible targets, the police are also conducting more aggressive intelligence work.

He said they are in constant communication with all barangay officials and advised them to immediately report anything unusual or suspicious in their respective areas.

Aside from barangay officials and residents, people near the probable targets, including cigarette vendors or jeepney barkers, are being urged to report any suspicious persons who may be chasing their next targets.

"Since we have very little intelligence funds, we should be resourceful enough by relying on the public for gathering critical information from them which in fact has proven the most effective," Borromeo added.

For her part, Panganiban agreed that security measures should not be shouldered entirely by the police.

"I think it is necessary for individual banks to put in place their own security initiatives," Panganiban said. "Bank officials and employees themselves must be always vigilant."

She said bank personnel should be extra observant.

"They should take steps, without being rude, to keep unfamiliar ‘overstaying’ individuals inside the bank, ask them the cause of the delay. But this should be done politely and discreetly," the bank official said.

She added they also have a stricter policy on the use of cell phones, which are generally banned inside bank premises.

She also had a work for overeager policemen in implementing "Oplan Bantay Bangko," currently on high gear.

"I asked our senior police officials to keep their men outside of bank premises since they could, without intending it, unduly harass or alarm our clients. It was also a prudent task on our part since the presence of rogue policemen could also backfire on us. They could very well serve as our security, and we are sincerely thankful to them. But, pardon us for being straightforward and skeptical, some scalawags could also be spies or in cahoots with criminal elements," Panganiban said.

The bank official, who is also member of the city hall’s economic board, has been a long time president of the local bankers club.