CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Following an attempted robbery at a shopping mall in Pampanga, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is urging commercial establishments to enhance coordination with law enforcement agencies to ensure faster and more effective response during security incidents.
Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director PCol Jay Dimaandal made the appeal after responding units faced delays in pursuing the suspects due to certain internal protocols implemented by the mall.
While no injuries were reported and the robbery was ultimately foiled, he noted that existing procedures such as restricted access to CCTV footage and limited coordination mechanisms posed challenges to immediate police action.
“We understand that establishments have internal protocols for safety, but these should not impede the timely flow of information and the swift response needed during emergencies. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and streamlined coordination is critical during these times,” Dimaandal stressed.
He said they have already met with officials of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) to discuss the need for more robust public-private security partnerships.
Among the police’s recommendations include that malls and other businesses establish real-time coordination systems with local police stations and provide the police with immediate access to surveillance videos during emergencies.
“Maybe we can streamline protocols for securing CCTV footages in incidences like this one. PamCham can help us through a memorandum of agreement on what businesses should do to facilitate timely response,” Dimaandal said.
He also urged businesses to conduct regular joint simulation drills and response planning with them, as well as designate security liaisons who can work directly with police responders during times of crises.
Authorities also encouraged other establishments across the province to review their security frameworks, especially those that draw large crowds and handle high-value merchandise.
“We call on businesses to provide us all the resources that we need in our response because the police are also giving out all our resources. We need your cooperation because we cannot do this alone,” he stressed.
As part of its broader crime prevention strategy, the Pampanga PPO is ramping up visibility patrols and engaging more stakeholders in its community-based safety programs.
Dimaandal likewise reiterated the police’s call for a unified front in maintaining peace and security across public and commercial spaces.
“Incidents like these remind us that vigilance, cooperation, and preparedness are our best defenses,” he said. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)