Postmaster sends probe team to Tagbilaran

TAGBILARAN CITY — The much awaited investigation into rampant cases of mail pilferage will be carried out by experts from the Postmaster General’s Office in Manila.

Philippine Postal Corp. Postmaster General and CEO Dario Rama told The Star that he would send this week investigators from Manila to look into the reported missing mails and the alleged encashment of checks taken from letters of Boholanos working abroad.

In an interview, Rama was surprised to reports of mail robbery since he said he has high regards for Boholanos as "honest and God-fearing people."

Rama acknowledged that there were cases already considered closed by postal authorities that will be re-investigated.

He said that since his assumption into office some 14 months ago, he has already suspended or dismissed more than 200 postal officials and employees, including some postmasters.

He confirmed to The Star that most of those punished were assigned in the provinces

Rama, known for his honest-to-goodness crusade against crooks in the postal bureau, wants the Bohol case resolved since he said the longer it drags the more Boholanos will lose their trust in the government’s postal bureau.

The investigators will directly meet with the complainants, according to Rama.

City Mayor Dan Lim, who met with Rama, has urged the postal official to expedite the investigation, especially as the Sangguniang Panlungsod has already taken the cudgels to look into the complaints of the mailing public.

The complaints lodged over dyRD public affairs program "Pulso" hosted by Roberto "Batchoy" Alba and Chito Visarra, include the loss of a high-end cellular phone from Germany, a ring from the United States, and a number of checks allegedly encashed by postal employees.

City Postal Officer Bernardo Margate told The Star that some of those who reported the matter to the media had their cases already investigated.

However, the complainants expressed disgust on the results of the probe conducted by the postal bureau, prompting them to report the matter to the media.