Cashier lands in jail over tape, empty boxes

MANILA, Philippines - A cashier was jailed after she was allegedly caught stealing two empty shoeboxes and a roll of adhesive tape – worth a total of P20.75 – from a department store in Mandaluyong City Monday.

Josie Jorge, 27, who has been working for eight years at the mall, and her companion, Emmanuela Moncada, 19, were charged yesterday with qualified theft before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office.

Jorge said she did not commit any crime. She said the two empty shoeboxes had no price tags and she was not aware that they contained a roll of tape when she handed it to Moncada, a former co-worker, to take home.

Department store security guard Ely Buenconsejo II, 28, who filed the complaint, said each shoebox costs P3 and the roll of tape is priced at P14.75.

He said a fellow security guard, Ramonte Matet, saw Jorge handing over a plastic bag to Moncada at about 6:20 p.m. Monday. Matet followed Moncada and intercepted her before she could leave the store.

The security guards arrested Jorge and Moncada and turned them over to the local police.

Jorge said she was never involved in any wrongdoing in her eight years at the department store.

“I have a family to fed and I have no record of stealing. I do pray that the (department store officials) have a change of heart because I’m innocent of the accusation against me,” she said.