SM beefs up security in wake of Megamall jewelry counter heist

In wake of the jewelry heist at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City Saturday night, the mall operator apologized to its patrons and stressed that security in all its other establishments will be heightened to prevent a repeat of the incident.

"We would like to assure the public that the management has further beefed up security. We apologized for the scare that this incident might have caused," SM spokesperson Ian Mathay said.

The incident where suspected members of the "Martilyo Gang" are being eyed took place 7:26 p.m.

The robbers, numbering two to three, struck the jewelry counter located at the upper ground floor of SM Megamall Building B around 8 p.m.

A shot was fired at the ceiling prior the robbery. It took a minute for the robbers, who took an undetermined amount of jewelry, to escape.

"We are looking for the suspects, who have blended with the crowd going out of the mall," Mandaluyong City police chief Senior Supt. Florendo Quibuyen said.

He declined to give further details, but said they have started pursuit operations against the suspects.

The "Martilyo Gang" is known for targeting jewelry shops, using a hammer to shatter the show cases.

"Our investigation is ongoing, and we have started pursuit operation," Quibuyen said. (PNA)