Teban loses P1.2M jewelry in robbery

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Board Member Julian ‘Teban’ Daan was held up at knifepoint inside his house in barangay Tabunok, Talisay City yesterday and lost jewelry estimated to be worth P1.2 million.

Daan, who lives at Palmview Village, said that a lone robber came up behind him while he was typing something and he first thought it was just a prank.

Daan, who is also a popular radio and television personality known for his jokes, said that when he realized that he was indeed being robbed he pleaded for his life and offered his wife’s jewelry.

The veteran politician described the robber as about 5-5 tall with huge eyes and a small build. The robber, Daan said, covered his face with a cloth and spoke bad Tagalog. He said that he can identify the robber if he sees him again.

Daan said that he led the robber to the master’s bedroom where the latter took the jewelry from one of the cabinets after breaking the lock.

The jewelry were owned by Daan’s wife Yolly, who was at work when the robbery took place at around 9:50 a.m.

Only the house helper was with the PB Member when the incident took place.

After the robber helped himself with several pieces of jewelry, he locked Daan and the house helper inside the master’s bedroom and fled.

The robber also took off with P300.

Police who went to Daan’s house suspect that the robber jumped over the fence and made his way through the main door, which wasn’t locked.

Chief Inspector Eddie Recamara, acting chief of the Talisay City Police, said the robber might have been waiting for the time when Daan would be alone with the househelp before barging in.

The police also believe that the robber is a resident of the area as it appears that he is familiar with the daily activities of the victim.

Daan’s wife rushed back home immediately after learning of the incident.

Yolly complained of the delayed response of the city police.

She said they had been dialing the hotline number 272-3636, but no one answered.

Recamara said that the reason why nobody answered is because the line had just been disconnected due to several prank calls they were getting the past several days.

Security

The Capitol is willing to extend security assistance to Daan after the board member requested for it.

   Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she still has to discuss with Cebu Provincial Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Commendador, to find out how to help Daan as far as security is concerned.

“Certainly, we will extend whatever assistance we can to Daan,” Garcia said.

Daan did not show up at his office at the Capitol yesterday and did not attend the PB session.

While the CPPO is investigating the incident, Garcia on the other hand, is also asking the investigation of apparent slow response of policemen in Talisay City when the incident happened.

3-Digit hotline

Comendador has encouraged the police chiefs of the various stations to coordinate with the local government unit for the establishment of a three-digit hotline number.

He said that it would be easier for the people to memorize a three-digit emergency number.

“Ang hotline dali ra makontak even daghang manawag kaysa landline nga kung naay mogamit dugay na kasulod ang tawag,” Comendador added. — with Gregg P. Rubio and Ria Mae Y. Booc/NLQ (FREEMAN)