Teacher loses valuables to husband’s nephew

CEBU, Philippines - A day care teacher lost almost P72,000 worth of valuables and cash in a burglary incident Wednesday night in Purok Kalubihan, Barangay Mangoto, Pinamungajan town.

The victim, Irene Antopina, 39, was looking for her laptop and was surprised when she noticed that it was no longer around. She checked but also failed to recover her other valuables.

Among the items stolen was a white knapsack bag worth P2,500 containing two pieces of gold necklace worth P24,800 and P2,000 cash; Samsung digital camera worth P6,800; external hard disk worth P2,860; cellular phone worth P3,000; and a money box containing P1,000 owned by Irene’s daughter, Apple Kristal Antopina, 11.

Police investigator, SPO1 Peter Cuanso Jr. told The FREEMAN that at around 9:00a.m., the victim’s neighbor saw the suspect, Arnel Alinghawa, 29, nephew of Irene’s husband and reportedly an errand boy.

Alinghawa is a resident of Sitio Punong, Barangay Ibo, Toledo City. He was allegedly carrying a white knapsack, similar to that of Irene’s. When he came out of the house, Alinghawa reportedly boarded a tricycle heading towards Barangay Poblacion.

Police investigation revealed that Alinghawa used a bamboo ladder and entered through the open ceiling of the house. Since nobody was around at that time, Alinghawa reportedly took said valuables and cash freely from the victim.

Following the report of the victim, police conducted a follow-up operation in Barangay Ibo but Alingawa was not around.

“Among giingnan ang relatives nga kung mauli ipa-hold lang una namo,” Cuanso said in a phone interview.

It was around 2:00a.m. yesterday when the victim’s relative informed that Alinghawa arrived. He was then arrested.

Police recovered two receipts of Prime Asia pawnshop in Toledo City amounting to P15,000 and P2,000 cash.

Cuanso disclosed that Alinghawa is a noted robber in Toledo City and charged a few months ago when he robbed his passenger. The case, however, was dismissed.

“Driver man siya ug tricycle sa una unya giunay niya iyang pasahero, (He used to drive a tricycle and he robbed his passenger.)” Cuanso said.

A robbery case is now being prepared against Alinghawa who is detained at the Pinamungajan stockade. (FREEMAN)