“Thieft” who preys on Simala Shrine vendors faces raps

CEBU, Philippines - Police have filed complaints against the alleged theft who stole from vendors outside the Simala Shrine in Sibonga town at the height of the birthday celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday.

Police Officer 3 Herbert Pananganan of Sibonga Police Station said Argen Clifford Terogo, 22, is now facing charges for theft before the Office of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor.

Terogo chose not to submit a counter-affidavit during the inquest proceedings before State Prosecutor Jerome Abarca on Thursday, said Pananganan.

Abarca recommended P24,000 bail against the suspect, who is currently detained at the Sibonga Police Station. He will be transferred to Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) next week.

Terogo, a resident of Cogon, Carcar City, was arrested by virtue of citizens’ arrest Tuesday afternoon after he allegedly stole P45,000 worth of sales proceeds from store owner Vidal Rabanez, 65.

He reportedly stole from Rabanez while the latter, who sells local de-licacies and snacks outside Simala Shrine, was busy attending to several customers at that time.

It was another vendor beside the store of Rabanez who noticed Terogo.

Rabanez was alarmed and shouted for help. Te-rogo tried to escape, but was chased and ended up getting mauled by the people in the area.

Barangay tanods apprehended the already bruised suspect and turned him over to the police.

The police recovered only P14,115 from the suspect as well as a cellular phone from his undergarment.

The police later found out that the phone belongs to another vendor, Joan Decaras, who opted not to file charges against the suspect.

“Dili siya interesado mo-kiha kang Terogo. P500 ra daw ang worth sa iyang cell phone,” Pananganan said.

During the interrogation, Terogo reportedly admitted stealing from two other stores in the same area last month. The police are now tracing the owners of the said stores.

Pananganan said they will coordinate with the other victims for the filing of additional complaints against Terogo, who has been reportedly imprisoned for the same offense in Carcar City. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)