Fil-Am robber caught! SM City security slammed as “very lousy” after doctor held up

Iloilo City — Drama and outrage unfolded at a Mandurriao mall Wednesday night when a 39-year-old Filipino-American allegedly held up the wife of former Iloilo Police Chief Ret. Col. Cornelio Salinas Jr.

Dr. Maria Lulu Divinah Salinas told police she was checking her bag while waiting for her husband when the suspect approached and struck her with a gun. He then grabbed her wallet and fled on a motorcycle, making off with ₱50,000 in cash, $200, 100 Euros, and several ATM cards.

The robbery triggered swift action from law enforcement. Western Visayas Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan ordered Iloilo City Police Director Col. Kim Legada to pursue the suspect immediately. Using CCTV footage from the mall and surrounding areas, Police Station 10, under Capt. Val Cambel, tracked and arrested the suspect Thursday night, bringing relief to the victim and the community.

But the incident also exposed serious flaws in the mall’s security system. Retired Colonel Salinas slammed SM City’s security as “very lousy”, criticizing the guards for their inaction during the heist.

“Even though my wife screamed and called for help, the security guards did nothing—they didn’t trigger an alarm or block the exits. During the critical seconds and minutes, the security personnel failed to act,” Salinas said.

Salinas added that the guard merely stood by holding a shotgun while his wife sought help, forcing him to personally call the police.

“The response of the police was fast, but the security agency’s failure left the situation totally exposed. Very lousy,” he said.

This incident highlights that even prominent families can be targets of street crime, while also raising questions about mall security and the readiness of private security agencies in public spaces.