Reward eyed for casino "thief"

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is eyeing a reward for the immediate arrest of the security officer who stole P2.8 million from their Mandaue City branch last week.

The Police Regional Office-7 is now coordinating with other government agencies after DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo ordered the PNP National Headquarters and Police Regional Office-7 Director P Sr./Supt.Marcelo Garbo for the immediate arrest of Pascual Urian Jr and that the P2.8 Million that he took be returned to PAGCOR.

In an interview over CCTN-47, Garbo said they are now coordinating with the military and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) because of the possibility that Urian might leave the country and escape through Mindanao to hide in another country.

Garbo also said that Pagcor’s announcement of possibly giving reward money could help a lot for the suspect’s immediate arrest.

In a separate interview with PAGCOR –Parkmall branch manager Renato “Junjun” Osmeña Jr., he said that although PAGCOR is generous enough to extend reward money for the informants who would help in the arrest of Urian, they have yet to decide how much reward money they will give.

Garbo said that even without the reward and the order coming from Robredo, the manhunt operation will still continue.

Last Sunday, the police was able to arrest Urian’s stepfather, after a non-licensed firearm was seized from his possession. The police believed that he is Urian’s accomplice in doing the crime.

Garbo adds that although they now have information regarding the whereabouts of Urian, they are still in the process of verifying it.

It was also learned from Investigative and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) chief P C/Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, that a qualified theft charge was already filed by PAGCOR yesterday before the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office. — (FREEMAN)