My Serendra at Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig near Makati ** UNOFFICIAL TEST SITE

Dear Customers of Serendra and Bonifacio High Street,

This is in reply to the e-mails that have been circulating about some unfortunate security incidents that transpired in our areas. We would like to inform you that these incidents have been seriously investigated and addressed by our security and police forces inside Bonifacio Global City. We have further intensified our secuity measures which include the additional deployment of additional security guards, police patrols, and intelligence operatives in our retail areas and the improvement of communication systems with the Taguig City Police force. Serendra and Bonifacio High Street remain quite safe, with typically just one minor security incident per month, which is lower than in typical malls.

The majority of the incidents were “salisi” or snatching incidents (of which 4 were captured by our security forces.) Concerning the two incidents listed below please be informed of the following: Incident 1: Reported Bag Snatching on 04 September 2007 (2 criminals were arrested): Our investigations disclosed that the victim’s bag, placed on the chair beside her, was surreptitiously taken while she and her two other companions were temporarily distracted by three crumpled 20 peso bills on the floor, purposely dropped by a woman accomplice of the snatcher.

Police files would describe this as the “Lag-lag Barya” “Salisi” modus operandi. Contrary to the circulating email, however, our security forces apprehended both suspects after a pursuit that extended all the way to Market-Market’s areas on the other side of the street from Serendra. During the chase, security personnel did not notice any customer running after the suspect, nor did they hear of people shouting warnings about the snatcher.

Serendra’s security did not even have to leave their posts to effect the apprehension. All they needed to do was to radio the suspects descriptions to other guards posted in the direction of the running suspect for interception. The suspect was actually monitored and followed quietly so as not to alarm other customers. He was apprehended while changing clothes beside a parked van in Market-market. During tactical interrogation by our security, he incriminated and pointed out his female accomplice. (We are sure of course that the error in the email was not intended). The victim, however, did not want to pursue criminal charges against the suspects. She was not even willing to sign an authorization for security to pursue the case on her behalf. We can only understand her position.

In the absence of a formal charge, the police had to eventually release the suspects after holding them for one day in jail and after giving them a stern warning not to comeback. Pictures of the two suspects were taken for future reference of our guards. If any of the suspects would be cited and identified anywhere within the Bonifacio’s Global City’s commercial areas in the future, our security will politely ask them to leave or else they would be escorted back to the police precinct.

We are scheduling security awareness briefings for merchant’s employees in both Serendra and Bonifacio High Street so the employees could serve as force multipliers for our security in directly protecting their own customers. We will also be encouraging shops to post their own security on a cost sharing basis with their adjacent shops. Guards and even janitors were reminded of the more pro-active security measure of spotting customers who are obviously potential victims of “Salisi” (those who are totally unwary) and to directly caution such customers to be more careful with their things and not to leave their belongings unattended.

Incident 2: Reported Bag Snatching, midnight on 25 August:

We sincerely regret what had happened to the alleged victim and we will certainly try to do what we can to prevent same incident from being repeated again. We want to clarify that the lights at Serendra and the street lights nearby are always turned on during night time and until early morning hours. We have of course addressed the perceived security weaknesses such as the the need for more security patrol presence in the described crime scene location, carpark and near carpark areas and other vulnerable areas of Serendra and Boni High Street.

We are strengthening our reactive capabilities when an incident happens in close coordination with Taguig City Police. We wish to assure you, our customers, that your security and safety in our malls and in our developments continue to be the top priority of the Ayala Malls group and the management of Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation.

We would like to thank all those who sent us the emails regarding their concerns. In case you receive similar forwarded messages from your friends or from anyone, may we request that you kindly forward this e-mail reply to the said concerned person.

Thank you very much.