Alabang Town Center Resumes Operations After Heist

MANILA, Philippines – A suspected robber was killed and at least six others were injured in a robbery incident at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City on Friday morning, the police said.

Muntinlupa Police chief Senior Superintendent Ramiro Bauza said mall guards engaged in a shootout with armed men at the lobby of the mall's Madrigal exit at around 10:15 a.m. Bauza said the suspects were sitting at the mall's driveway as an armored van approached. When the suspects were confronted by the security guards, they immediately opened fire at the guards and a shootout ensued.

The slain robber was identified as Pepito Paler. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Alabang Medical Center. Two security guards, identified as Lope Bacobo and Alexander Tablada, were injured during the shootout. Bauza said the gunmen also hurled a grenade at a nearby ATM of Sterling Bank of Asia to distract the authorities as they escape.

The Sterling Bank of Asia management said four people were injured in the explosion. "As a result of this incident, we have stepped up security and increased the number of guards. Our BF Homes Paranaque and Las Pinas branches will be servicing the requirements of our Alabang clients for the meantime. We are fast tracking the repairs so that our Alabang branch can get back to business as usual," the bank management said. The mall was temporarily closed to the public as authorities are still investigating the incident.

According to a statement released by Ayala Malls, the mall resumed normal operations at around 2:30 p.m. "The police have declared Alabang Town Center secure to operate and we have resumed normal operations at around 2:30 pm today. We continue to work closely with the PNP in the investigation of the incident. Rest assured that safety of customers is the utmost concern of Alabang Town Center and its security has been beefed up in and around the mall," the statement said.

Source: ABS-CBN News,Everythinginbudget