‘Honesty store’ inside MPD headquarters closes up shop

No initiative is too creative or noble for dishonest people.

This was the experience of the people manning an honesty store inside the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters, which is temporarily closing up shop.

According to a report of Mariz Umali on "24 Oras" on Thursday, the little shack that was constantly surrounded police officers had fallen victim to thieves and lost around P6,000 in earnings last December -- thanks to a series of robberies, some of which were even caught on tape.

Security cameras caught a woman loitering inside the police building and, after a few seconds, stuffed the store's entire money stash inside her purse and walked out.

This took place only a short time after the store was set up by former MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Anduyan last year. 

"Ilang occasions, 'yun kukuha siya, decade na siya rito pero temptation nadaraanan. Lagi walang bantay. After malaman niya na alam na ang MPD siya 'yung suspect, umalis na siya," Police Superintendent Carlo Magno Manuel, chief of the MPD's public information office said.

The robberies reportedly went on in spite of the store's transfers to different locations.

However, Magno clarified the store had been closed temporarily, not because of the robberies, but because the space it occupies would be used for events.

"Pansamantala, para hindi makasagabal, inalis po muna namin 'yung to give way du'n sa mga occasion na sunud-sunod," Magno said.

The MPD plans to reopen the store by the end of January after an inventory. 

Ester Oraya, manager of the cooperative running the store, expressed little hope for the so-called honesty store.

"Konting try, try pa konti na lang 'pag 'di na feasible, stop na. Ititigil na uli kung may deficit sales," she said. 

"Noon pa talaga, gusto ko sana isara, kaya lang kinausap lang ako." she added. —Margaret Claire Layug/ LDF, GMA News