CH returns jewelry found in used clothes to owners

CEBU, Philippines - The gold bracelet accidentally found by a resident of Barangay Pasil is now in its rightful owners.

At 11 a.m. yesterday, Sabino and Victor Chua, who donated the used clothes of their deceased mother which contained the bracelet, claimed the item from lawyer Joseph Bernaldez and Assistant City Treasurer Emma Villarete.

Bernaldez said the claimants presented the formal claim and the affidavits of the witnesses who testified that it was the employees of Cathay Hardware owned by the Chuas, who disposed of the clothes to street vendors along Plaridel St.

Early this month, Sabino and Victor presented proofs of ownership to Mayor Michael Rama who endorsed the matter to the city legal office for a thorough assessment.

The city legal office was convinced by the merits of the claim and recommended for its release.

In their affidavits, the Chua brothers said that the dress, where the 18-karat gold bracelet worth P200,000 was found, was owned by their mother Paulita Dy-Chua.

On April 5, they asked their employees to give out the used clothes of their mother, along with some of their used clothes, to the vendors along Plaridel St.

The dress with the bracelet landed to a certain Heide Cabanes who gave the dress to Lorelie Pongcol. When Pongcol and her live-in partner discovered the item, they pawned it for P50,000.

The next day, the police learned about the bracelet and redeemed the bracelet from the pawnshop.

The Mayor ordered that the city take custody of the item pending identification of its rightful owner. (FREEMAN)