Stolen LRTA vertical bars sold at junkshop

Metro Manila Development Authority – Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group personnel who allegedly stole P5.1 million worth of vertical clearance posts owned by the Light rail Transit Authority in Caloocan City sold some of the items as scrap metal for only P74,000 at a junkshop in Quezon City.

The National Bureau of Investigation reportedly managed to locate and retrieve parts of dismantled steel beams from a scrap metal shop in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

“I heard they sold it at a junkshop for only P74,000,” MMDA executive director Angelito Vergel de Dios told The Star yesterday. According to him, those involved in the alleged robbery have been dismissed since suspension would not be enough for a case of plain and simple robbery or theft.

Vergel de Dios said the LRTA management reported three vertical clearance frames stolen but parts of only one of them were retrieved from the scrap yard where the items were supposedly sold.

“Yung tatlo P5.1 million. Isa lang yung nahanap ng NBI na binenta na for P74,000,” he said, adding that the NBI is further investigating the incident and will be the one to file criminal charges if necessary.

Some 16 MMDA-SCOG employees were tagged involved in the alleged-theft of LRTA property following sidewalk clearing operations at the corner of C-3 and Rizal Avenue in Caloocan City in July 22.

The loss was discovered by safety Engineer Edgar de La Cruz during a routine inspection of the area and learned of who took the items from owners of nearby commercial establishments.