Although i really should be working right now, i couldn’t help but be curious about what the updates are on the Greenbelt 5 robbery of the Rolex store that happened last Sunday at about 12 noon.
When i heard about it, I was shocked that a group of armed men wearing police uniforms with automatic machine guns walked into the high-end shopping mall on a SUNDAY to rob a Rolex store. Thankfully, a police escort of the Taguig Mayor chanced upon the Robbers as they were looting the store and had the presence of mind to know that a robbery was taking place, immediately fired upon them, and killed one of the perpetrators at the scene of the crime. The other gang members were caught off guard and ran to the back of the store and regrouped, then came out with guns blazing! They were able to escape.
Thank god no one was hurt and the only casualty was one of the gang members. Here’s the news report about the incident, including a CCTV footage of the actual crime taking place.
So now i have some questions, facts, and comments based on what i have been reading.
- In the news reports, they mentioned that the robbery gang was able to escape thru the basement parking lot. Did the robbers park their car in the mall basement parking? Didn’t the mall security check the car before entering? When they left, i wonder if they paid for their parking ticket? Pun intended.
- Apparently, the police knows which gang is behind this brazen noon time robbery. The word is that it’s the Alvin Flores Gang, who was also responsible for the Union Bank robbery last June. So, they know who these people are, so go get ‘em.
- The two getaway vehicles were identified already with: a Toyota Corolla (XGR 513) and Honda Civic (WKM 262). Who owns these cars? Were they stolen?
- The cars were found abandoned at the corner of Lapu-Lapu Avenue and San Geronimo Street, Magallanes Village at 2 p.m. Is this inside the village? If it is and the guards let them in, then that is suspicious.
Funny Quote:
“Wala namang nakuhang mga Rolex. Itong medyo mumurahin lang, mga Tudor watch na nadala. Nabaril yung may dala-dala (ng Rolex), wala pong natangay na Rolex,” he said.
(No Rolex watches were taken. Only the cheap ones, the Tudor watches, were stolen. The one carrying the Rolex watches was the one who was shot, so no Rolex watches were carted away.)
I guess Tudor is now considered a CHEAP watch. I am sure TUDOR is gonna be really happy with this quote. 
But a real concern that is on my mind is the fact that these criminal elements used SWAT uniforms and posed as police personnel. Now, I have heard of alot of criminal activities, including carnappings, wherein the criminals will wear police uniforms and pose as police to steal your cars or even kidnap you. How do we, as citizens, know if they are official policemen or military? and if we don’t comply, we will probably be shot!
Apparently, there is an April 4 memorandum released by the NCRPO prohibiting policemen from wearing black fatigue uniforms.
The same memorandum also suspended the police practice of wearing blue, athletic uniforms only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and ordered that any inspecting officer should be accompanied by a policeman in proper uniform with a marked patrol vehicle.
So, PINOYS beware.
I recommend that you save on your phones the following numbers in case you get pulled over by police check points and are suspicious of their identities, or in case of emergencies.
NCRPO hotlines: (02) 838-3354, (02) 838-3203, and (02) 838-5593
2 Comments
October 27, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Afraid!
November 1, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Wow… excellent insights. I really think this uniform thing should be addressed. Even the traffic officers, you’re not sure if you’re being flagged down by legit TO’s.