Guard, 7 others charged for Pasig mall heist

MANILA, Philippines - A security guard and seven other members of the Ozamis robbery gang have been charged in connection with the P500,000 robbery at the Robinson’s Metro East mall in Pasig City last June.

The Pasig police filed robbery and three counts of frustrated homicide charges against security guard Ronualdo Magno, Julis Baluarte, Joel del Monte and five other John Does before the city prosecutor’s office.

Magno denied any participation in the robbery but he was caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera apparently “aiding” the suspects.

Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza, city police chief, said Magno was seen on CCTV while opening the door of the mall at least five minutes before the suspects escaped.

“We also monitored that all of the security guards were fired upon by the robbers, except Magno,” said Rariza in an interview.

Three security guards of the mall were wounded during the incident.

Rariza said Magno failed to pass the polygraph test, adding that the security guard was assigned somewhere else after the Robinson’s heist. A bank teller and his two security escorts were about to deliver P500,000 cash to a waiting armored van when the robbers struck.

Rariza said they are waiting for the issuance of the warrants of arrest for the suspects.