Cops: No 'Martilyo Gang' in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 7 has beefed up its intelligence monitoring and target hardening measures following the heist at the SM North Edsa mall in Quezon City last Sunday night, which involved the so-called "Martilyo Gang."

But RID Chief Supt. Pablo Labra clarified they have not spotted any member of the group in the province, so far. This, however, is not a reason to let the guard down. 

"Bisan pa man niana, atoa nang gitagaan og kamandoan ang lower units nga ilang i-intensify ang intelligence monitoring ug ang ilang mga target hardening measures (Despite this, we have instructed the lower units to intensify intelligence monitoring and target hardening measures)," Labra said.

"With the recent incident, we are double checking and reminding the intelligence community to strengthen target hardening measures," he added.

He said RID is monitoring certain personalities but they are not linked to organized groups like the Martilyo Gang.

"Mga individual personalities lang dili robbery group (Just individual personalities, not robbery group)," he said.

The smashing of jewelry display cases inside the mall with the use of hammers and crowbars by the so-called Martilyo Gang caused panic among shoppers of SM. The robbers have escaped and carted away a reported P5 million worth of valuables.

Ironically, the hammers and crowbars were bought from the mall itself, police have confirmed.

Labra said something was not right in this scenario.

"Something is wrong sa mga security measures nga gibutang sa mga tindahan nganung wala nabantayan (There is something wrong with the store's security measures because it failed to detect anything)," Labra said.

Labra said he has directed RID Intel personnel to coordinate with security supervisors of local malls to avoid the same incident from happening.

"I have issued a directive nga mag-coordinate ang mga intel officers sa mga security officers sa dagkong tindahan kung pwede i-dobli ang effort sa ilang mga security efforts ug measures sa ilang tindahan (I have given a directive for our intel officers to coordinate with the security officers of malls here… that if possible, they would double their security efforts)," Labra added.

Labra also reiterated the call for malls, convenience stores and financial establishments to ensure they have adequate security measures in place, including Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and standby security guards.  (FREEMAN)