Five-minute bank heist in Laguna

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — A five-minute bank robbery was staged here by 11 armed men, who carted away a still undetermined amount of money, police said.

Police Senior Inspector Conrado Masongsong, Intelligence and Investigation Officer of Calamba police station, said the suspects disarmed two security guards before entering the Bank of Philippine Islands branch inside the the Canlubang Industrial Site.

A security guard, identified as Alberto Alimuot of Milinum Security Agency was injured when one of the suspects kicked him on the head.

SPO3 Gregorio Mendoza, a police officer who was at the bank during the heist to withdraw money, was also disarmed of his caliber .45 pistol and his VHS radio by the robbers before fleeing towards the Silangan tollway exit.

Witnesses described the suspects as between 25 to 35 years old, some wearing fatigue uniforms but were not military personnel. — Arnell Ozaeta