Thieves tunnel into Pasig pawnshop, steal P5 M

MANILA, Philippines - Unidentified men yesterday broke into a pawnshop, located only some 100 meters away from the headquarters of the Eastern Police District (EPD) in Pasig, and carted off close to P5 million in cash and jewelry.

The robbery at the Deo Gracia Ocampo Sunga pawnshop along Market Avenue in Barangay Palatiw was discovered a day after EPD director Chief Superintendent Abelardo Villacorta was retained in his post “for performing above par in the war against crime.”

Police officers recovered an acetylene tank, a bolt cutter, two hydraulic jacks and a closed-circuit television video recorder.

Pasig police officer-in-charge Superintendent Cipriano Galanida said the thieves gained entry into the pawnshop by digging a tunnel from a nearby drainage opening.