Gun shots were reportedly heard inside the SM City North Edsa at past 7 p.m. on Sunday, which was filled with holiday shoppers two weekends before Christmas.
The incident resulted in a commotion when somebody allegedly shouted that someone was carrying a bomb and a gun. The shoppers were also asked to move to the parking lot and outside the mall.
As of 7:57 p.m., Police Supt. Pedro Sanchez, commander of Quezon City Police District Station 2, said there was a confirmed robbery inside the mall and that the authorities are now investigating.
"Confirmed, may robbery. Pero iniimbestigahan pa," he said.
Initial advisory from the Quezon City Police District said two to three persons were involved in the incident, and a hammer was recovered in the crime scene.
The authorities, however, have yet to give the full details about the incident.
The management of the SM North EDSA mall said the situation is already under control and there were no casualties.
"There is a Martilyo Gang robbery in a store in North Edsa. The police is on top of the situation and handling the matter. No one was hurt. The only weapon used was a martilyo. The mall remains open," a statement from SM read.
SM North EDSA customer, Dr. Babes Arce, said she and her family were in the second floor of the mall when they heard what they believe were gunshots from the ground floor.
"Nandito kami sa second floor ng SM North Edsa may narinig kaming isang loud shot, alam ko baril 'yun e. Tapos nag-scamper na ang mga tao, nag-run to safety sa isang kainan habang narinig ko yung mga iba pang shots ng baril. After a few minutes, medyo naglabasan na yung ibang tao, nagkaroon uli ng putukan dito, bumalik uli kami sa isang kainan," Arce who was still in the mall while being interviewed on radio dzMM.
A gun owner herself, Arce said she and her family are still hiding at the time of interview.
The authorities have already cordoned off the crime scene.– Reports from Henry Atuelan and Johnson Manabat, Jun Lingcoran, dzMM
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
