A suspected robber was killed and at least six more people were wounded during a shoot-out between armed robbers and mall security guards at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City on September 14.According to an article by ABS-CBNNews.com, the gunmen had attempted to rob an armored van that was on its way to the Sterling Bank of Asia branch located near the mall. In the official statement released by the Alabang Town Center management, the gunmen, who were waiting for the van to arrive at the mall’s Madrigal Ave. driveway, fired at the guards who had accosted them at around 10:15 a.m.

Two of the security guards, identified by the ABS-CBN news report as Lope Bacomo and Alexander Tablada, sustained wounds. One of the suspects, Pepito Baler, was fatally shot and was declared dead on arrival at Alabang Medical Center.

"In-engage nila, pinutukan sila, pinutukan ng guardiya (They were engaged, they were fired at, and the guards fired back)," Muntinlupa police chief Senior Superintendent Ramiro Bauza was quoted as saying in an article by GMANetwork.com.

The article likewise said that there was also an explosion at the Sterling Bank of Asia branch located across the road, which was thought to be a diversionary tactic aimed to divide the police's attention. The blast reportedly injured five people.

The mall, which usually opens at 11:00 a.m., was also sealed off until 2:30 p.m. to ensure security.

"The police have declared Alabang Town Center secure to operate and we have resumed normal operations at around 2:30 p.m. today," read the mall’s statement. "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."


(Screencap courtesy of GMANews.tv via YouTube)