Police banned wearing of caps in Metro Manila shopping malls to end criminals hiding their identity from close-circuit television and security cameras.
Besides, local authorities entering the mall without legal protocol will not be able to enter with them their firearms unless criminality and suspicious acts arise within the area.
The ban was imposed after, “Martilyo Gang” robbery incident last December 15 at SM North Edsa wherein 5million worth of jewelries were reported stolen and 5-7 suspects were identified only after they wore baseball cap.
“We already have a police (–foul word(s) removed–)istance desk. So we are prohibiting police carrying firearms or wearing their uniform from entering malls,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Carmelo Valmoria said in radio interview over Inquirer Radio 990AM.
According to Metro Manila police spokesman Chief Inspector Robert Domingo, police officials and outskirts mall security officials met last week and told them to ban people or customers wearing caps upon entering the mall in which set as a precautionary measure for possible incidents.
“We studied their strategies. If they want to commit a crime, they wear caps. That way, the (closed circuit) TV will not be able to photograph their faces,” he told AFP Monday.
The mall security guard were instructed to politely tell the shoppers or customers not to wear hat/caps inside the mall premises. He said mall security guards had been instructed to politely ask those wearing caps or any hats that may hide their faces, not to wear them inside.
