POLICE in Metro Manila?s 17 cities and one municipality have recorded no bank robberies or bank-related crime in the first two months of the year against 14 in the same period last year, an official said yesterday.

?Data gathered by my office reveal there were no bank robberies, armored van robberies, payroll robberies or [people being robbed after withdrawing their money],? Metro Manila Police Chief Leopoldo Bataoil said.

That came as a result of tougher police action against bank robbers, he said.

By comparison, Metro Manila police recorded two bank robberies, one armored van robbery, four payroll robberies, and seven incidents of people being robbed after withdrawing money from the bank in the first two months of 2008.

Bataoil said police neutralization of the Waray-Waray Gang last December contributed to the absence of bank robberies in the first two months.

A source from police headquarters in Camp Crame said that gang and other criminals?including carjackers?appeared to have gone into hiding ?to escape the heat.?

?It is significant to note that despite the looming global economic crisis that is affecting our country, no high-profile crime such as bank robberies, bank-related crime and cargo hijacking were recorded the first two months,? Bataoil said.

He said 300 more policemen would be assigned to Metro Manila from the provinces to boost police presence there. Romie A. Evangelista