'SM Megamall heist suspects out on bail'

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leonardo Espina on Tuesday said that the suspects in the SM Megamall heist have already been arrested for the same offense but managed to post bail.

"The primary suspects have been involved in a similar crime. They're out on bail... They have been arrested way back...," Espina said in a radio interview.

He said that the robbers have hit malls in the past with the same tool -- a pipe wrench bought from Ace Hardware inside the mall.

"Yung nangyari sa mall, yung primary suspects ho natin ay nagawa na ito noon eh. Nakapiyansa. Robbery rin ho ang nangyari tatlo ho pa yung sila mga nabiktima. Bumili pa ho yan ng pipe wrench sa katabing Ace hardware.Nailusot ang isang baril. At way back nahuli ho ang mga ito. We will not disclose muna in details kasi operational pa ho ang mga tao," Espina said.

During last Saturday's robbery, one of the suspects managed to sneak in a handgun which was believed to be kept between his crotch area.

In a matter of minutes, at least six robbers were able to escape with an undetermined worth of jewelry from a store on the mall's upper ground floor.

Espina said he has met with his district directors and security managers of the mall to discuss how to prevent similar incidents from happening.

He said that during the discussion, authorities noted there were lapses in the security measures laid by the security providers of the establishment.

"Hindi ko na ho idi-detalye buong araw kaming nag-uusap kung ano hong mga lapses etcetera...Nakalipas na nangyari. Ang importante ho dito magkaroon ng unity sa efforts between us and dun sa internal security ng mga mall...may mga lapses ho talaga na noted but these has to be corrected immediately," he said.

"We are now implementing all the measures that were agreed upon during yesterday's meeting... There is a need to have interoperability between security officers inside and the policemen outside," Espina added.

Espina said that there should be regular drills and exercises to better prepare the security personnel detailed in the malls during such incidents.