MANILA, Philippines — Three security guards were arrested yesterday morning for stealing relief goods in an evacuation center in Batangas City.
Capt. Hazel Luma Ang-Suarez, Batangas police spokeswoman, said security guards Junel Romano, 21, Johnson Rey Manimtim, 29 and Junito Mañabo, 32, were caught taking relief goods at the Batangas Provincial Sport Complex evacuation center in Barangay Sta. Rita.
Batangas police director Col. Edwin Quilates said the suspects were among the guards securing the sports complex, which was converted into an evacuation center.
Policemen apprehended the suspects after they were caught stashing away various relief goods such as instant noodles, canned sardines and clothes worth P6,828.
The guards took two boxes of 127 pieces of instant noodles, 74 pieces of assorted sardines and other relief items.
The suspects are facing charges of qualified theft and are now detained at the Batangas City police station jail.
“This is a stern warning especially to everyone in control of these relief goods that these goods should be handled and accounted for properly,” Quilates said. – With Ed Amoroso