Rookie women cops commended for engaging MOA robbers

MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday commended four policewomen who engaged robbers at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) on Sunday. During a press conference, the PNP said the cops, all rookies, showed bravery and a sense of duty to serve and protect the public. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief director Carmelo Valmoria identified the four as PO1 Juliet Macabadbad, PO1 Lilia Langtawin, PO1 Marcelina Bantiyag and PO1 Maricel Rueco. The four battled the robbers, resulting in the capture of one and the wounding of another. Valmoria also recognized the special reaction unit of the Pasay City police and their officers. "This is a living proof of our dedication to provide serbisyong makatotohanan to our people that continuously inspire our personnel in the PNP by performing their best beyond the call of duty," he said. Meanwhile, the PNP urged malls to improve security measures. This is not the first time robbers struck inside crowded malls targetting jewelry shops. Valmoria said thay have given suggestions to mall owners, but it is still up to mall management whether they would adopt these suggestions. "Magco-conduct tayo ng security survey tapos meron tayong mga recommendations. Yung mga recommendations naman natin not necessarily ay sinusunod nila. In fact, yung ni-recommend namin noon na kung pwede walang magsuot ng bull cap doon sa loob ng malls, merong nag-implement, meron namang hindi," he said. -- ANC