Valenzuela police provide safety tips

Alarmed by the series of payroll robberies in the city, Valenzuela City’s police chief came out yesterday with safety tips for local businessmen on how to avoid becoming a robbery victim.

Superintendent Billy Beltran said that there are basic measures that businessmen can consider to minimize the chances of falling victims.

Beltran listed at least five simple security measures on how not to become vulnerable to payroll robbery: switch to ATM (automated teller machine) in paying the employees salaries; don’t develop a pattern of using the same vehicle, avoid taking the same route, and vary schedules every time you leave or withdraw money from a bank; carefully check the background of your employees; train your drivers, guards, and other personnel tasked with transporting the money on how to detect and react to surveillance and other danger signs; and not to transact money matters in the presence of outsiders and even employees.

"Remove these opportunities and you will lessen the chance of becoming a victim," Beltran said.

He also reminded employees, especially security personnel to immediately report to the police "anything that is out of ordinary, like vehicles parked or strangers idling outside your establishment. My men would dutifully check them for you." – Pete Laude