P4M burglary suspect arrested

CEBU, Philippines -  The suspect of the P4 million burglary incident that happened in PC Hills, Lahug, was arrested by Cebu City police past 10:00 in the evening Monday.

 Gilbert Matugas, alias Gilbert Abellana, 25, a “habal-habal” driver, was arrested after a man, later identified as Adrian Vincent Alison, called the police and told them that a high-end watch was pawned to him by Matugas for only P300.

 In a press conference, Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, of the City Intelligence Branch, said that they were able to positively identify Matugas after Alison made a call. Matugas had no idea that a Bulgari watch is worth more than P200, 000.

 According to Alison, he immediately informed CIB because he learned from the local news about the burglary incident over the weekend, and the watch pawned to him fits the description.

 Past 10:00 Monday night, Santander said CIB operatives went to Salinas Drive Extension and saw Matugas walking together with his cohort Lito Mancao. Matugas was then arrested, but Mancao eluded arrest. As a standard operating procedure, the suspect was subjected to a body search, and a caliber .45 pistol with four round of live ammos were recovered from his possession.

 Matugas admitted breaking into Kate Anzani’s residence past 12:00 midnight on Black Saturday with his cohort Mancao. Matugas claims breaking into the house was not their plan, but they noticed nobody was around. He also said he is sorry and is willing to ask forgiveness from the Anzani’s. “Andam ko mobuhat tanan sir, bisan moluhod pa, pasayloon lang ko niya,” he said.

 Matugas is now appealing for his cohort Mancao to return the rest of the wristwatches. Matugas only has two out of twelve watches stolen.

 Matugas also admitted that he pawned another Ferrari wristwatch on April 19 to a foreigner staying at Hacienda Salinas in Lahug for P1200. The police were able to recover the watch which costs over P300,000 in the market.

Chief Insp. Aileen Recla, the Investigation and Detection Management Branch chief, said that the suspect had previous records of burglary. She is also calling those who might have accepted the rest of the stolen wristwatches to coordinate with the police immediately; not doing so could lead to a criminal liability for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law. —(FREEMAN)