Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday forewarned local officials on the new modus operandi being used by organized syndicates is robbing jewelry shops, pawnshops and banks.
Robredo issued the warning after the Chamber of Pawnshops of the Philippines (CPPI) revealed to him and officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) the modus operandi being employed by organized groups and individuals who rob pawn and jewelry shops based on the accounts and experiences of its members.
The CPPI also sought the DILG-PNP’s assistance in preventing the occurrence of robbery incidents in the said establishments through the participation and help of barangay officials.
“All localities where pawnshops and banks operate should be on alert and exercise extreme caution and vigilance in order to prevent organized syndicates from pulling off robberies in said establishments,” he said.
Based on the information provided by CPPI, Robredo said local and police officials should be on alert when individuals rent out vacant business space at the side of, or on top, or at the back of an existing pawnshop, bank or jewelry shop.
He said these groups start their operations at night especially on long weekend by disconnecting the alarm system security camera first, and drilling the adjoining walls as entry point through the use of advance equipment.
After which, they will forcibly open the vault with the portable acetylene and cart away valuable materials such as cash and jewellery items, he added.
In case there are no vacant spaces for rent close to the establishment and if it is located near creeks or waterways, the DILG Secretary said this syndicates resort to forcible entry, underground tunnelling or passing through a big drainage system along the street fronting the target establishment.
“In this case, they open the floor of the vault of the pawnshop as entry point, forcibly open the vault and take away all the valuable items in the vault,” he said.
In his directive, Robredo specifically called on all barangay officials, as chairpersons of the Barangay Peace and Order Committee, to immediately mobilize on a regular basis their barangay tanods for the conduct of ronda especially during night time wee hours of the day.
“Barangay officials should closely coordinate with and immediately report to the local police any suspicious movements or persons/characters roaming in areas near the said establishments so that the latter can undertake more in –depth surveillance and make the necessary arrests,” he said.
The DILG Secretary also urged barangays to disseminate the new devious scheme of these organized syndicates to their constituents, including civil society organizations, to widen public awareness and support for the prevention of such incidents in their areas.
“You should also coordinate with the city/municipal peace and order council so that such incidents maybe addressed in the local peace and order plan,” advised Robredo to the barangay officials. -30- CRD, PIA
