Robbers hit PNB branch in QC; P5.4 M taken

Some P5.4 million in cash were carted away by robbers from a branch of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) in Quezon City during the Holy Week.

The looting was discovered only yesterday morning as the bank’s acting cashier, Mercedes Pineda, reported for work and checked on the money left in the vault.

Initial investigation conducted by detectives of the Central Police District-Criminal Investigation Unit (CPD-CIU) revealed that the heist took place between 4:30 p.m. on April 7 and 7:21 a.m. on April 11 at the PNB QC Circle Branch, Cash Center located at the corner of Kalayaan Avenue and Elliptical Road.

Police told The STAR it was not the main vault that was opened but the vault where cash received from "overtime" services of the bank were secured.

The suspects reportedly entered the bank by sawing off the iron grills of a window on the right side of the building.

Once inside, police said, the suspects sawed off the vault and took the cash.

Authorities recovered a nylon cord, crowbar, steel bar and steel saw, which were believed used by the suspects to carry out the robbery. Apparently, security guards did not notice the entry and escape of the suspects, police added.

Detectives said the notorious "vault cutter gang" may be responsible for the robbery but police are also considering the possibility that it may be an inside job.