Robbers hit Metrobank branch in Binondo; Isko Moreno offers P1M reward for suspects' arrest

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is offering a P1-million reward for the capture of the seven suspects behind Thursday morning's bank robbery in Binondo, according to Isa Avendaño-Umali's report on Dobol B sa News TV.

LATEST: Mayor @IskoMoreno has offered a ?1-M reward for the capture of 7 suspects in the Metrobank-Binondo branch robbery this morning. — @ManilaPIO | via @Isa_Umali pic.twitter.com/m3HVJUQYJl

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 11, 2019

“For now, for whatever it is, I  am offering P1 million para mahuli ang mga suspek na ito,” Moreno told reporters as seen in the video posted by GMA News’ Tina Panganiban-Perez on Facebook.

Moreno offered the bounty after the police reported that around seven suspects broke into the Metrobank branch on Sto. Cristo Street in Binondo on Thursday morning.

Police said the suspects tied down the bank's security guards, tellers and other employees.

According to the police, two of the suspects were wearing security guard uniforms while another was garbed in a Grab uniform.

Police were still determining if any cash or important items were taken by the robbers. Investigation was ongoing as of posting time.

Manila Police District (MPD) chief Police Colonel Vicente Danao said the police were only able to enter the bank two hours after they arrived in the area because the branch head of the bank stopped them.

According to Moreno, the branch head said the law enforcers should not enter the bank as compliance with the “BSP rule.”

“May nangyaring krimen, bawal ang pulis na mag-imbestiga? Is it logical?” Moreno told reporters.

Moreno warned the branch head and the chief security of the bank that they will be held liable if it is found that there was abuse on their part. “We will make them liable and we will think they are part of that criminal element,” he said.

Danao told reporters that the alleged robbers intruded the bank at 8:43 a.m., minutes before the 9 a.m. opening time.

Danao also said the suspects seemed to know where to get the copies of the CCTV footage inside the bank, making them suspect an inside job.

“We have persons of interest within the bank,” he said.

Moreno encouraged any one of the seven suspects to come forward and help arrest the others. “Di ba pito kayo? I-chuchu muna yung anim. May isang milyon ka pa,” he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News