Bank lauds Makati gov’t, police for quick response to heist

A bank located at the country’s financial district has lauded the Makati City government and its police force for their quick response and partial solution to a recent robbery.

United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) president Jose Querubin recently awarded Mayor Jejomar Binay with a plaque of appreciation for his "full and active support of the police investigation," which led to the arrest of one of the four suspects in the Sept. 26 robbery of the bank’s Makati Cash Center and partial recovery of the stolen cash.

Querubin cited the local police, headed by Superintendent Jovito Gutierrez, for the arrest of Danilo Abunado, the bank security guard who allegedly helped three other suspects stealing P18 million.

Police were able to arrest Abunado and recover his P2.6 million share two days after the heist.

Abunado allegedly led his cohorts to the bank’s temporary deposit vault. He admitted during tactical interrogation that he turned off the magnetic alarm system to prevent fellow guards from discovering the heist.

Gutierrez noted that they are now conducting a manhunt for the arrest of the three other suspects and the recovery of the cash.

In accepting the citation, Binay assured bank officials that he would continue giving due assistance to the police department.

"The city government will continue extending its full support to the local police force in its efforts to crack down on criminal elements and activities throughout the city," Binay said in a statement.

The local government has been giving special incentives to all 547 operatives of the Makati police station, including a monthly cash allowance that ranges from P2,500 to P3,000, gasoline allowance and free oral health care.

Some P200 million in local funds have also been allocated to the construction of the "state-of-the-art" police headquarters at the heart of the central business district, which would also house the Makati Public Safety Department and Makati Fire Department.

City Hall officials claimed that the city police department, which covers top local and foreign commercial establishments and 54 embassies, remains the undisputed "outstanding police station in Southern Police District" with a crime solution efficiency rate of 93 percent as of the latest report.