PAGCOR "thief" now out of Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) are now jointly pursuing the internal security officer of Pagcor who stole P2.8 million from the vault and fled from Cebu. 

Pascual Urian, Jr., 29, is now out of Cebu island.

Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, MCPO chief, told The FREEMAN that Urian immediately left Cebu right after he stole the money from the vault Saturday dawn.

Gillamac, however, refused to disclose where Urian is because a manhunt operation is ongoing.

Urian carted away the P2.8 million from the vault of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Casino Filipino located in a mall at the Mandaue City Reclamation Area.

Gillamac said they are now coordinating with the police stations of the province where Urian is hiding.

“All PNP personnel naninguha sa pagdakop niya,” he said in a phone interview.

While the search continues, the MCPO is closely coordinating with the PAGCOR for the filing of a case either for robbery or for qualified theft against Urian.

The MCPO is yet to finalize the case based on the statement of witnesses.

“Qualified theft may be if he was given the trust but he abused and took advantage of it… robbery possible pud if there was force when he carted the cash,” Gillamac said.

Urian entered the place where the vault was, took the cash and placed these inside a plastic bag. He then left the establishment through the back door.

Violeta Ansigbat, external security officer, noticed Urian’s suspicious actions but before Ansigbat could do anything, Urian rushed outside and threw some bills in the air before he got in a taxicab.

Personnel of the Special Weapons and Tactics near the establishment recovered the money from bystanders outside the mall.

Gillamac said the crime was well-planned.

“We still have to determine his possible cohorts but as of now siya lang una among focus,” he said. — /JPM (FREEMAN)