BACOLOD CITY – A mall in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental was robbed by two unidentified persons of an estimated P1.3 million worth of jewelry, tools, gadgets, and cash on Tuesday, August 20.

A MALL in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental was robbed on Tuesday, August 20, and the suspects dug a tunnel to enter the establishment. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)
Police Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, San Carlos police chief, said that the suspects were seen in a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera entering the mall through a manhole at around 11 p.m. on August 19.
Canja said the suspects passed through a drainage system beside the mall and dug up a tunnel to enter through a pharmacy inside the establishment.
The pharmacy was robbed of P200,000 cash. Adjacent shops lost P60,000 cash, gadgets, tools, and pieces of jewelry.
The suspects went out through the same way at around 4 a.m.
The incident was discovered by security guards and employees at around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21.
Canja said that they recovered a sling bag believed to be owned by the suspects in the manhole. Another bag with tools was also found inside the mall.
He said that the suspects might be part of an organized group as the crime was well-planned. Canja added the suspects might have conducted a surveillance of the mall before committing the robbery.
Police do not discount the possibility that the suspects have companions and the eight duty guards were investigated.
The mall was also robbed last March of P450,000 worth of gadgets. The incident was discovered after an unidentified person was sighted at the mall’s aircon duct.
Canja reminded security guards of all establishments in San Carlos City to always be vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious persons or activities in their areas.