PNP, bank leaders ink pact

The Philippines National Police (PNP) and leaders of the country’s banking industry vowed to reinforce all government and private sector effort against bank robberies by way of a new memorandum.

In a ceremony at Camp Crame yesterday, top police officials and bank leaders signed a memorandum of agreement seeking to add more teeth to the Joint Anti-Bank Robbery Action Committee (JABRAC) in preventing bank and armored car robberies.

The plan aims to orchestrate all preventive measures, and insure efficient monitoring and coordination among agencies and entities under the JABRAC.

Project Bantay Bangko was also formally launched as an integrated plan.

Under the project , police and concerned agencies will lead the conduct of security surveys and inspections of all banks to determine vulnerability to heists and recommend counter measures.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao said the plan also involves the training of quick response teams for police intervention during robbery situations, and specialized training for bank security personnel.

In the last five months, a total of 22 bank robbery incidents were recorded — eight in Metro Manila, five in the Calabarzon region, four in Central Luzon and the rest in other parts of the country.

JABRAC is composed of representatives from the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation, National Prosecution Service, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Metro Manila Development Authority, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Bank Security Management Association of the Association, Chamber of Thrift Banks, Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines and the Armored Services Association of the Philippines.