2 Negros town halls robbed

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The treasurer’s offices of the towns of Valladolid and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental were ransacked last Friday and Saturday, respectively, bringing to six the number of local government units here that have been burglarized since June, police said yesterday.

Valladolid lost P48,000 to burglars, said Senior Inspector Vanessa Sonoy, town police officer-in-charge. The amount was intended for a supplementary feeding program and salaries of employees.

Sonoy said the robbery was discovered by watchman Ronnie Cabuay. The robbers destroyed the lock of the main door and opened four vaults inside the office.

Sonoy said they are having difficulty in identifying the suspects, as no closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera was installed in the office.

She said the robbers could have taken advantage of the heavy downpour at around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. Investigators believe the robbery was an inside job.

Police will take fingerprints of employees assigned at the treasurer’s office.

Meanwhile, thieves broke into the treasurer’s office of Moises Padilla town but left without taking anything, said provincial police director Senior Superintendent Milko Lirazan.

Last month, the treasurer’s office of Hinoba-an lost P474,800 in cash to robbers.