Four claim gold bracelet found among ukay-ukay

CEBU, Philippines -Four individuals are now claiming they are the rightful owners of an 18-karat gold bracelet found by a sidewalk vendor among used clothes last Tuesday in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.

Theft and Robbery Section chief Insp. Bonifacio Garciano said there are now claimants of the gold bracelet found by Orlando Sambilad, which he turned over to his partner Lorelie Pongcol, 32, a sidewalk vendor in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.

One of the four includes Vic Chua, 50, the owner of Cathay hardware which gave the used clothes to the people in Pasil including Sambilad.Garciano said Chua claimed the gold bracelet saying it is from his mother who treasured jewelry.

Another claimant is Lorenzo Colina, 59, from Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, and owner of Solid Gold Jewelries where the used clothing was taken from.He is also the previous tenant of the space Cathay hardware is now located.He said the bracelet is his because he was one of the owners of the used clothing.

Rosita Chua Luy, 63, from Plaridel St., Cebu City and the manager of the Far East hardware also said that she is the owner because she also donated some used clothing.

Another man, who appeared to be drunk, also reported to the TRS that he is the owner of the gold bracelet which reportedly slipped from his pocket. He showed a blurry receipt for the bracelet but this receipt has still to be verified by the police.

Pongcol said she will abide by whatever will be the result of the investigation.

Inspector Rolando Pinili of the TRS said that Larry de Jesus, an importer and exporter of jewelry, verified that the bracelet is an authentic 18-karat US gold bracelet with 75 percent gold.It weighs 71.8 grams and is estimated to be worth more or less P200,000.

Police reports said that Pongcol tried to pawn the bracelet for P50,000 but police suspected that the bracelet was part of loot from a burglary and so it was brought to the TRS.

Garciano said if the claimants cannot give any proof then Pongcol can claim the bracelet after one month.

The gold bracelet is in the custody of the TRS.(FREEMAN)