Robbers steal P200 from church; P80,000 from town

CEBU, Philippines - Robbers took a total of P80,200 from the church and treasurer’s office of Poro, Camotes Island early dawn yesterday. 

Authorities said initial evidence point to one Reil Tora, 18, as one of the suspects while the other one remains unidentified. The two are still at large.

Initial investigation also revealed that the suspects first entered the Sto. Niño Parish convent from which they took P200. A witness reportedly saw Tora last outside the church before he was seen again outside the town hall.

The suspects reportedly entered the municipal hall by destroying the knob of the back door of the Department of Social Welfare and Development office and removing some of its jalousy blades. From there, they proceeded to the treasurer’s office and opened the safety vault using a scythe. They took P80,000 from the vault.

The municipal treasurer, Lourdes Gobalani, discovered the money missing around 7am when she found the vault open. She also found the scythe on a table in the office.

Ceriaco Jesus Estrera Jr., one of the personnel at the convent, said the footprints on the convent floor were identical to those found on the floor at the treasurer’s office. It was reportedly raining that night. The municipal hall is just 50 meters away from the church.

Senior Inspector Milo Gonzaga of the Poro Police said Tora is a noted burglar. He was earlier arrested for a burglary at a store in Barangay Poblacion during which he took P100,000. However, no case was filed against him, as he was still a minor at that time. Authorities late recovered half of the amount from him. Gonzaga said even Tora’s mother wondered why her son had a lot of money at that time.

“Daghan kuno kaayo ug kwarta kay nagpa-inom pa gud ni sa iyang barkada,” Gonzaga said.

A robbery case will be filed against the suspect on Monday before the Regional Trial Court. Provincial Police Director Erson Digal already directed the police force of Poro to pursue the suspects.

Digal said the incident should serve as a lesson to offices and establishments not to be too dependent on the police for protection. He said there should be independent security guards.

“They should not expect too much sa police kay ila jud nang responsibility,” Digal said. (FREEMAN)