Ex-scout ranger tagged in P2.4-M ATM heist

MANILA, Philippines - A former scout ranger was tagged in the P2.4-million robbery at a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) automated teller machine (ATM) terminal along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, a police official said yesterday.

Normil Bolong, 43, used to be a member of the Philippine Army Special Operations Command before he became a security guard, Inspector Alan de la Cruz, chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) theft and robbery section told The STAR. 

Bolong was arrested on Monday after he was identified as one of the men who took the money from the ATM, police said.

De la Cruz said Bolong was a former guard of the G4S Cash Solutions Philippines Inc., a multi-national security outsourcing provider of BPI. G4S provided the QCPD with photographs of its former and current employees.

Bolong’s three other cohorts remain at large.  

Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista, QCPD deputy director for administration, said they have formed a special task group to hunt down the suspects.

BPI technicians were repairing the ATM when the suspects struck on Oct. 13.

Police have filed robbery charges against Bolong. He denied a hand in the robbery, saying he was at home in Taytay, Rizal when the incident happened.

QCPD information officer Chief Inspector Jeffrey Bilaro said they were looking into the possible involvement of a BPI security guard in the crime.