Man admits crime, surrenders to cops

CEBU, Philippines - Saying he was haunted by his conscience, a 20-year-old man surrendered to the police Thursday and admitted burglarizing a house in Barangay Abucayan, Balamban town with a companion.

Bryan Portado, 20, a member of Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho), told authorities he was allegedly just forced by his companion, Jenno Completo, the nephew of victim Hazel Samutya, 36, to break into the woman’s house last week.

The suspects carted away almost P300,000 worth of cash and valuables. Police said earlier that the suspects entered the house by destroying the iron grill protecting the window at the back portion of the house.

Police also recovered a 10-inch knife at the master’s bedroom, which was most likely left by the suspects.

The Samutya family came from a picnic with their relatives in Barili town when they found out that they lost money and valuables.

Found missing were a Chinese gold bracelet worth P40,000; a diamond ring worth P32,000; a set of diamond earrings worth P5,000; a Dubai gold necklace worth P83,000; one Indonesian gold necklace worth P32,000; one Malaysian gold necklace worth P20,000; a pair of  Chinese gold earrings worth P7,000; a Chinese ring worth P5,000; a diamond ring worth P6,000; an IPhone 3 worth P20,000; a Galaxy cellular phone worth P5,000; two pieces of  PSP worth P32,000; and cash worth P1,000.

PO1 Johnrelle Romero said Portado immediately asked his father to accompany him to the police station when he learned that  he was among those being investigated by the police.

“Konsensiya kuno siya kay primiro man ni niyang pagpanglungkab. (His conscience was bothering him and it was his first time to commit the crime),” Romero said in a phone interview.

Portado was reportedly only given P14,000 out of the amount they got after pawning the items, but he is reportedly not aware if all items have been pawned because it was reportedly Completo who did so.

Portado returned P8,000 cash but admitted he used P6,000 for his personal needs. Completo remains at large.

“Giadto ni siya sa ilaha wala na man ngadto nakalayas na,” Romero said, referring to Completo.

Robbery charges were filed against Completo and Portado yesterday. –/JMO (FREEMAN)