P2M jewelry turned over to owner

CEBU, Philippines - After six months of safekeeping, the estimated P2 million worth of jewelry that found at the Umapad dumpsite in Mandaue City by scavengers were finally turned over to their rightful owner.

 The said pieces of jewelry consist of two rings, two bracelets and one necklace. There were six pieces of jewelry that were accidentally thrown at the Umapad dumpsite in February this year but the Rado watch was not recovered by the police. A bracelet and a necklace found and pawned by two scavengers was redeemed by the owners.

The jewelry items and the cash of P36,000 were returned by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday to the representatives of Vicente Tan, the owner of the items.

 Tan’s son and counsels Inocencio dela Cerna and Hasan Bargamento represented Vicente yesterday afternoon at the Mayor’s Office.

 However, the press were not permitted to take photo or video of the turnover ceremony for security reasons.

 Dela Cerna said that the Tan family extends its “greatest gratitude” to the City Government and the police for the swift action they took in taking care of the said jewelry.

 Dela Cerna also reiterated that Vicente Tan is the rightful owner of the jewelry found by scavengers at the Umapad dumpsite last February.

The class ring, which was among the items recovered, was engraved with the words Vicente H.Tan. The family was also able to present other documents such as photos showing Tan wearing the said jewelry.

City Legal Officer Giovanni Tianero said that the City Government has fulfilled the requirements of the law to take custody of the said jewelry for safekeeping for a period of six months to give time to welcome other claimants.

 So far, no other claimants came forward to recover the jewelry pieces.  (FREEMAN)