Frail security attributed to LBC outlet heist

CEBU, Philippines - Lack of security measures is among the factors blamed over an LBC outlet's third robbery wherein two suspects carted away the establishment's P5,000 earnings Friday noon in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City.

Investigation revealed that although the outlet has a closed-circuit television camera installed, the same was not properly placed in a location where it can directly capture the images of the people entering the establishment.

It was also found out that the outlet did not hire any security guard.

PO3 Heracleo Gamboa of Basak Police Station yesterday said that they have already asked for footage from the outlet's CCTV camera. While the CCTV footage showed the robbers entered the establishment, their faces were partly covered with helmets. He said that the footage needs to be enhanced to identify the suspects.

Based on the recording, the first man who entered the establishment was wearing a black jacket, checkered short pants and a motorcycle helmet. The second man was in a yellow T-shirt, denim pants and also wore a helmet. Both stand about 5-foot-4.

Further investigation found out that the suspects entered the outlet around 11:20 a.m. Two employees and a customer were inside at the time.

The first man who declared holdup fired at the ceiling once while demanding for the firm's cash. The robbery took place within three minutes.

The suspects then got on a white Honda Wave motorcycle and fled towards Consolacion town.

Back in May and September of last year, the outlet was also robbed by motorcycle-riding men. Police were able to collar the two robbers in the September incident, but the two others behind the May heist have remained at large.

The arrested robbers were reportedly connected to the Ozamiz robbery group.

Investigators are not discounting the possibility that last Friday's robbers are also connected to the robbery group.