Cops secure 'key witness' in Laguna bank robbery

MANILA, Philippines - Police have tightened security for a lone survivor in a brazen bank robbery that killed nine people in Laguna province Friday. Authorities reported that the victims were found sprawled on the floor of a branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. in Cabuyao town (south of Manila) after the heist that took place at around 9 a.m. Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr. said Saturday their priority now is to secure Isagani Pastor and make sure he recovers enough to provide them much-needed leads. "Sine-secure natin at meron tayong efforts para siguraduhing babalik sa serbisyo at tatanungin natin (We are securing him and we're exerting efforts to make sure he is nursed back to health so he can provide us with leads)," Razon said in an interview on dzRH radio. Pastor was the lone survivor in the massacre where armed men killed nine bank officers. Calabarzon police head Chief Supt. Ricardo Padilla branded the crime as a work of the devil. Meanwhile, Razon said they are following up some "leads," adding that results of the probe may be known "in the next few days." Razon said he ordered his men to closely coordinate with joint anti bank robbery council and tighten bank security measures. He also ordered increased police visibility in coordination with force multipliers such as security guards near banks and business establishments. The National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) help in solving the crime has been requested, he said. "Multi-agency task force natin makatulong ang NBI dito (In a case that requires a multi-agency task force, the NBI can be of much help)." Earlier, Laguna governor Teresita Lazaro offered a P100, 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of each of the men involved in the bloody bank robbery. Padilla identified those killed in the heist: * Roberto Castro, branch manager * Olga Gonzales, clerk * Juan Leyva, janitor * Ferdinand Antonio, client * Noel Miranda * Aguilando Baltazar * Bernardo Lapaan Jr., customer service head * Teresita Umayao * Benjamin Nicdao Still in critical condition at the St. James Hospital is Isagani Pastor. Razon ordered on Friday Director for Operations Silverio Alarcio Jr. to revive the security clustering system in areas with bank branches and other commercial establishments. Under the security clustering system, a police team under a supervisor will be assigned provide security in these clustered areas. Razon also instructed Alarcio to convene the Joint Anti-Bank Robbery Council (JABRAC) and the Bank Security Management Association (BSMA) to coordinate the smooth implementation of new security measures. For his part, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said that a suspected getaway vehicle has been recovered in Laguna and is now being "processed." - GMANews.TV