P500T lost in burglaries

CEBU, Philippines - An association of jeepney operators and drivers in Danao City lost their P32,000 earnings to unidentified burglars who destroyed their office and stole the money.

The burglary was discovered at 5:15 a.m. yesterday when Felomino Pecidas, an official of the Danao Compostela Operators and Drivers Association, reported for work, Police Officer 1 Faron Avila of the Danao City Police Station said.

The office is located at the terminal in Barangay Poblacion, Danao City.

According to the investigation, Avila said, Pecidas arrived at the office and was surprised to see a portion of the ceiling already destroyed.

He immediately looked for the money only to discover the drawer already opened and the money gone. The money, police said, is a collection from the operators and the drivers.

The victim reported the matter to the police, who are now still trying to determine the culprits.

Meanwhile, a family also lost pieces of jewelry and other valuables reportedly to their own relative in Barangay Sangat, San Fernando last Friday afternoon.

Maria Sandra Sabellano reported to the police that their rings, earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces estimated to worth P400,000, digital camera worth P50,000, laptop worth P40,000, branded spoons and forks worth P50,000 are missing from their bedroom.

The people suspected to be behind the burglary is the victim’s niece, Mercy Macormike and the latter’s live-in-partner Clifford Nicolas. They are neighbors of the victim.

Investigation showed that not a single member of the family was left in their house as they attended an event in Carcar.

The suspects took the opportunity and managed to destroy the door at the back of the house. They were able to enter the house and steal the items placed inside the bedroom.

Investigation further showed that a neighbor of the victim saw the suspects entered the house around 3 p.m. when the family was not around.

The policemen looked for the suspects but they were no longer in their house, which heightened the suspicion that they carried out the burglary. (FREEMAN)