The Philippine National Police hierarchy ordered Monday the relief of police precinct commander who has jurisdiction over a Makati mall which was stormed by a group of heavily armed robbers on Sunday, resulting in a firefight where one of the robbers was killed.

Director General Jesus Verzosa said investigation is now being conducted to determine the possible culpability of Chief Inspector Merquiodi Bodano, commander of Makati’s Police Community Precinct 6 which has jurisdiction over Greenbelt 5.

“We will administratively relieve him pending the investigation. If it will be found out that there are lapses, then the appropriate charges will be filed against him,” Verzosa said.

“But if it is proven otherwise, he will be reinstated.”

National Capital Region Police Office Director Roberto Rosales for his part formed a special fact-finding committee to investigate the robbery at the Washington watch store inside Greenbelt 5 to assess the response of the mall security and the local police.

Rosales said the investigation will look into how several armed suspects managed to pass through the mall security and robbed the store without any call for police assistance.

At least 11 armed robbers, posing as members of the Special Weapons and Tactics and Bomb Squad Unit, entered Greenbelt 5 and robbed the outlet of high-end Rolex watches at noontime on Sunday.

One of the robbers died while another was wounded after they were engaged in a firefight by two police escorts of Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tiñga, who was having lunch in the area.

Tinga’s security aides, SPO1 Cesar Tiglao and PO1 Efren Ceniza, were recommended for spot promotion for their heroic response to the incident.

Following the Greenbelt incident and the recent Waltermart robbery in Quezon City, Verzosa ordered the NCRPO to intensify checkpoints in Metro Manila and coordinate with proper authorities to limit the movements of robbers and other criminal elements.

“We must put in place some other procedures to limit the movements of the suspects and other criminal elements,” he said.

The NCRPO was likewise directed to closely coordinate with security officers of malls and other establishments to map out security plans in order to prevent a repeat of the Greenbelt heist.

Rosales said the NCRPO has already increased police visibility and checkpoint operations in anticipation of the usual rise in crimes against properties during the coming Christmas season.

It can be recalled that last October 7, 2009, NCRPO met with security officials and administrators of banks, malls, and other business establishments to come up with stricter security measures and to coordinate efforts between private security guards and policemen.

He also cited the announcements made by NCRPO on the temporary suspension on the use of SWAT and military fatigues.

He reiterated his earlier announcement that policemen are allowed to conduct inspections of establishments or respond to reports of crimes only if they are in proper uniform and on board with marked mobile patrols.

Rosales also directed all District Directors and Chiefs of Police to make sure that all their offices have operational hotlines manned by personnel on a 24-hour basis. He announced NCRPO’s Hotline of 838-3354, 838-3203 and 838-5593.

Rosales also ordered the Southern Police District and the Makati police to exhaustively review the video recording of the closed-circuit television system of Greenbelt 5 to find out how the robbers managed to get in and out of the mall.

Tinga meanwhile honored his two security escorts, describing them as role models of law enforcement.

He cited Tiglao and Ceniza for their courage and presence of mind, and for risking their own lives on duty.

“I believe that they are what the country needs now – modern day heroes. They did not even hesitate to react accordingly even if they had to risk their own lives. For them, it was a call of duty, and they performed that duty valiantly,” he said.

Tiglao and Ceniza were each awarded a certificate of recognition during the flag-raising ceremonies at the Taguig City Quadrangle Monday
morning and were recommended for promotion.

Tinga said that last Sunday, Tiglao and Ceniza were waiting for him at the second level of Greenbelt 5 when they chanced upon the robbers breaking the glass casings in the watch store at the ground floor.

He said that the two accosted the suspects and an exchange of fire ensued, leading to the death of one of the robbers.

“It was purely instinctive on our part. Nagtataka kami dahil naka-uniporme sila (suspects) ng SWAT. Pero noong makita namin na binabasag nila ang salamin ng tindahan, naisip naming holdup ang nangyayari,” Tiglao said.

Tiglao ang Ceniza were only armed with handguns but they valiantly shot it out with the robbers who were armed with grenade launchers and M14 rifles.

Tiglao has been in the service for 21 years. In 2003, he was assigned from the Southern Police District to the Taguig Police Station and consequently to the Taguig Municipal Detachment.

In 2008, he was assigned as a member of the Taguig Mobile Patrol Group (TMPG) and was detailed as security escort of the mayor.

Ceniza, on the other hand, entered the service only in 2007 and was initially assigned to the NCRPO). He was transferred to the Taguig Police Station only this year and was detailed with the TMPG.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, on the other hand, gave some credit to the local police for “managing the incident well” as it unfolded.

“Members of the media who went there saw that the handling was very good. Police handled it well,” Binay said, pointing to how mall goers were mostly secured and moved out of harm’s way when gunshots rang out of the mall.

“I would like to thank the two police escorts of Mayor Tiñga for their quick action,” said Binay.

One person, 42-year-old Rino Tolentino, was injured when a stray bullet hit him in the right thigh. He was about to enter Greenbelt 5 when the shooting erupted, police said.

Southern Police District Director Jaime Calungsod said that some P4 million worth of watches were taken, although P3 million worth of the loot was reportedly recovered from the slain robber.

Two getaway vehicles, a Toyota Corolla (XGR 513) and Honda Civic (WKM 262), were found abandoned at the corner of Lapu-Lapu Avenue and San Geronimo Street, Magallanes Village at 2 p.m. Sunday. Traces of blood were found in the Corolla, suggesting that at least one of the robbers was wounded. (With a report from Ellson A. Quismorio)