NCRPO director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina
MANILA, Philippines鈥擯olice will monitor mall goers in Metro Manila who will buy hardware tools that can be used to pull off a robbery,聽 National Capital Region Police Office chief, Director Leonardo Espina, said Friday.
鈥淭hose who will buy pipe wrench, hammer鈥攖hose that can be used for smashing will be monitored,鈥� Espina said.
The police chief, however, refused to give details as to how the 鈥渕onitoring鈥� will be done, but added that the public should not fear the operation if they are not planning to do anything illegal.
Several men robbed the F and C Jewelry store located on the ground floor of SM Megamall鈥檚 building B at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The pipe wrench used by the suspects to break the glass jewellery case was allegedly bought in a hardware store inside the mall.
The robbers fired shots to trigger panic as they make their escape.
鈥淭his is a group. Not a big one,鈥� Espina said. 鈥淲e promise you that.鈥�
He said cases will be filed against the suspects on Monday.
Security around and inside SM Megamall has been tightened in the wake of the heist.