Bank Robbers Kill Nine in Philippines

Bank employees were lined up and shot dead in an execution-style robbery carried out in the Philippines today, in what police called the bloodiest bank raid in the country's history.

The victims were found sprawled on the floor at a branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation in Cabuyao town, in Laguna province, after the bank failed to open and customers alerted authorities.

Seven employees, a depositor and a security guard were killed in the robbery. Another employee was in a critical condition in hospital.

"This is the handiwork of the devil and we will not let this pass," said Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla. "They were killed in a gangland-style execution. Each of the victims shot in the head while lined up."

Felipe Rojas, the Laguna provincial police chief, said it was the worst bank robbery in the country's history.

According to police, there was no sign of forced entry but the back door of the branch was open.

It is thought the robbers could have used silencers on their weapons, because residents did not report hearing any shots being fired.

The victims, including two found inside the open bank vault, were shot at point-blank range. Their bodies showed no bruises or other signs that they had resisted.

Police believe several people took part in the robbery, and called it "a very complex operation". Detectives have recovered empty bullet shells from at least four different types of guns.

One security guard who was supposed to come in for daytime duty was missing, leading authorities to suspect he was involved in the robbery.

"They (the robbers) were probably here early morning," Rojas said. "There was no reason why they should kill the employees, so most probably they knew one or two of the robbers."

Philippine and US currency worth around US$10,000 was found on the floor of the bank. The amount taken by the robbers was not yet clear.

A vehicle owned by one of the bank employees, which police believe was used as a getaway car, was recovered several miles away and was being checked for fingerprints.