Earthquake drill helps bank robbers pull fast one

A nationwide expanded earthquake drill held on Friday may have helped authorities improve their response to tremors, but it also helped bank robbers elude arrest in Iloilo. Three unidentified robbers fled with the bank's cash after barging into the Rural Bank of Barotac Viejo in Jaro in Iloilo City at 10 a.m., Radio dzXL reported. Police who arrived at the scene said they were delayed because they were taking part in the nationwide earthquake drill, the report said. Initial investigation showed two of the robbers entered the bank in Iloilo City's Jaro district while the third stayed outside as lookout. After ensuring there was little security inside the bank, the two suspects announced the robbery, and handcuffed two of the employees inside. They forced a third employee to open the bank vault, then fled on two motorcycles. A separate report on dzBB radio said police estimate the suspects fled with some P45,000. - RJAB Jr./LBG, GMANews.TV