CEBU, Philippines - The treasurer’s office of the St. Gabriel Parish Church in Barangay Poblacion, Santander, lost P40,000 after it was burglarized last Sunday morning.
The unidentified perpetrator allegedly gained entrance by destroying the small padlock at the gate of the convent and went directly to the treasurer’s office.
The perpetrator also destroyed the doorknob of the said office and the drawers of the table of office employee Leonidas Buscato and made off with the proceeds of the church amounting P40,000.
The perpetrator also entered the stock room of the said office but apparently did not take anything from there.
PO2 Noel Estender of Santander Police Station said that the burglary could be an inside job since the perpetrator was familiar with where the cash was kept.
Estender said that the cooperative office, which was opposite the treasurer’s office, was not even entered by the perpetrator.
“Suhito siya og asa ang kwarta gibutang possible nga pirmi ni siya sa kumbento,” Estender said.
He said that after the perpetrator destroyed the doorknob of the Treasurer’s Office he even tried to fix it to cover his tracks.
“Giguba unya gibalik sa original pero dili na maabli, kinahanglan gub-on na lang gyud ang pultahan,” Estender said.
Estender added that they already have a possible suspect but further investigation will still be conducted.
Meanwhile, a man was seriously hurt after he was hit by a Ceres bus while crossing the National Highway in Barangay Luyang, Carmen, last Monday morning.
Romeo Sios-e, a resident of Sitio Proper, Barangay Luyang, sustained serious injuries to the head. He was rushed to the Danao District Hospital but later referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
The bus, with license plate number GXJ-416 was driven by Onyses Comajeg, 40, a resident of barangay Dawis Norte, who immediately surrendered to the responding policemen. He was detained at the Carmen police stockade.
Police said the bus was headed north when the victim, who was reportedly drunk from a fiesta celebration in the said place, crossed the street.
Comajeg alleged that he tried to apply the brakes but it was too late and the bus hit the victim.
Carmen police investigator SPO1 Ricardo Enriquez said that Comajeg did not notice the victim because it was dark and he was wearing a black shirt.
“Wa kuno siya kaklaro kay medyo ngi-ob ang dalan unya nag-itom kuno og T-shirt,” Enriquez said.
Barangay Intelligence Network personnel who responded to the incident wondered why the victim went to Barangay Luyang when his house was just a few meters away from the national road.
Enriquez said that they are still waiting for personnel from Villacar Transit Inc., owner of the bus line to meet with the family of the victim in order to reach an agreement.
The family of the victim said that they will file a case if the owner of the bus line will not assist them with the financial expenditures of the victim. – Ria Mae Y. Booc/BRP (THE FREEMAN)