Two bank security guards were wounded in a daring broad daylight robbery at the vicinity of the popular mall in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Monday morning, officials said.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Maligalig, director of the Cavite Police, said the robbery occurred at the basement of the SM business center, adding that the incident happened at around 11 a.m.

“Two BDO (Banco de Oro) security guards were shot by the suspects,” said Maligalig.

Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that the four robbers actually targetted the paying station of Banco de Oro at the basement of the SM Business District in Dasmariñas City.

Both Cruz and Maligalig said the robbers were able to cart away undetermined amount of cash.

Reports of possible hostage-taking initially broke out when the robbers reportedly scampered away after the incident.

Maligalig said some of the witnesses told the police that several gunmen might have been trapped in some of the establishments.

The official, however, said that the robbers immediately escaped after the incident. He added that the clearing operations conducted in some of the establishments yielded negative.