The Northern Police District (NPD) on Wednesday advised security officers of shopping malls and commercial centers in Metro Manila's northern area to set up strict measures to prevent the attack of well-entrenched armed robbery groups that are reportedly eyeing several shopping malls as their targets.

In a dialogue with the security officers, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., NPD director, told them that based on intelligence reports, suspected armed robbery groups like "Alvin Flores Gang," "Waray-Waray Gang" and "Abuyog Gang" which are allegedly linked to several robberies in Metro Manila, are targeting malls in the metropolis.

Aside from the normal security measures being implemented by security guards at shopping malls, Pagdilao said there should be strict implementation of rules like inspection of shoppers, especially men, including police officers, upon entering.

"Dapat i-implement yung mahigpit na pagkapkap sa mga pumapasok sa mall lalo na sa mga kalalakihan. Hindi dapat ma-intimidate ang mga security guards kung pulis ang kanilang kakapkapan." (Strict implementation of bodily inspections to all entering the malls especially males should be implemented. Security guards should not be intimated when they are inspecting policemen,") Pagdilao said.

He added that security guards should be on alert at all times and should not leave their posts without relievers.

At the same time, the NPD head advised that all shopping malls should also install a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera for their own preventive measure against armed robbers.

The NPD noted that at least four shopping malls are situated in the northern portion of Metro Manila, two in Caloocan City, two in Malabon, and another two in Valenzuela City.

A group of armed robbers wearing bomb squad uniforms reportedly robbed a watch store in Makati last week, resulting in an encounter with police escorts of a city mayor.

In Taguig City, meanwhile, the government yesterday convened the security officers of business establishments and locators around the city to implement stricter security arrangements within and around their respective areas.

Mayor Sigfrido Tinga said the meeting was made to prevent the occurrence of robbery incident just like what happened in Makati last Sunday.

Tinga also said it was also to remind security officials to be on alert especially now that more people are expected to flock in the malls because of the approaching Christmas season.

In a meeting at the Taguig City Hall ,the mayor encouraged business locators to install close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) around their premises as a preventive security measure.

Tinga said the city government will augment the 87 CCTVs that have been installed in key areas all over the city.

“Considering what happened in Makati, we cannot afford to be complacent with our security here in the city. We cannot turn a blind eye on the notoriety of these criminal syndicates and what they are capable of doing,” Tinga said.

He also ordered the putting together of a Taguig City Security Handbook to be used by all security personnel of various commercial and residential establishments, organizations, and institutions, including barangay officials and village watchers.

The mayor asked security officials of the business sector to review their standard operating procedures in frisking individuals and the entry of uniformed and armed personnel into their premises. (With a report by Jean Fernando)