Parañaque to draft guidelines for banks

To prevent a sixth bank heist in Parañaque, Mayor Joey Marquez said yesterday he would draw up bank security guidelines and require all 127 banks in the city to strictly comply with the regulations.

Marquez told The STAR that he would instruct Superintendent Ronald Estilles, Parañaque City police chief, to draft security measures which all banks should implement to prevent another bank heist in the city.

"In order to prevent another robbery, we need the coordination of the bank management. It is time for us to sit down and ask Superintendent Estilles to come out with recommendations," he said. "I will meet with him and bank representatives to discuss security. We want to get their commitment. I will also arrange a meeting with the security officers and security agencies."

Inspector Glenn Tigson, Parañaque City police Criminal Investigation Division chief, said that based on a Bangko Sentral circular, a bank should have at least four security guards. "They should have alarm devices, closed circuit television and a time-lock device."

The mayor said he might also require the bank security guards to first secure a working permit. They would be required to undergo training "to see if they know what they should do in case there is a robbery."

At around 1:50 p.m. the other day, five men armed with pistols walked into the Union Bank La Huerta branch and carted away P400,000. Police identified the suspects as Noel Inacmal, Wilfredo Penamayor and Ramil Besin.

This year, three out of the five banks hit in the city were Union Bank branches. All three only had one detailed security officer.

Marquez admitted in the nine years of serving as mayor, this is most number of bank robberies that have taken place in one year. Despite the numbers, he has no intention of changing his chief of police.

"He (Estilles) is able to compensate and has achievements in other areas. You cannot expect the chief of police to create miracles with the ratio of one policeman is to the size of a golf course. We have a high crime case solution rate," added the mayor.

He also reiterated his appeal to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to place an additional 300 personnel in Parañaque. Right now, there are close to 300 policemen, but if divided into two shifts they only have 150 policemen.

He added: "If after the PNP gives me additional policemen, there would still be a bank robbery, then I would personally recommend for his relief from the Parañaque police.

On the part of the city government, Marquez said he is ready to talk to the city council and ask them to pass a resolution that would require the installation of closed circuit television cameras along the busy streets near banks.