Man behind alleged theft at CICC identified

CEBU, Philippines- Theft charges have been filed against a man who allegedly stole a bag that belonged to a beauty pageant organizer last May 5 inside the Cebu International Convention Center. The bag allegedly contained more than half a million pesos in jewelry, cash, and other personal effects.

PC/Insp. Enrique Belciña, chief of the Investigation and Detective Management Bureau (IDMB), said the case was filed by the police Friday in the Mandaue City Prosecutor's Office against Renie Pitogo Parba, 28, single, and a registered voter residing in Hermag Village in barangay Tabok, Mandaue City, after viewing the CCTV footages which showed Parba walking away with a bag owned by Carmelita Seno, 65, chairperson of the Beauty and Search committee of the Mandaue City Queen, Princess, and Prince Pageant.

Witnesses also alleged they saw Parba carrying a grey bag while going out of the CICC.

Parba was the make-up artist of one of the contestants. He also works for an insurance company.

Belciña said Parba is now outside of Cebu, according to information gathered by the police.

Earlier footages of the closed circuit television (cctv) from CICC showed Parba entering the CICC bringing a jacket and a knapsack.

On his way out, he was already bringing a bag, which Seno said was hers.

Seno said the bag contained a men's gold karat ring worth P300,000, P15,000, one gold necklace with a pendant worth P150,000, three cell phones worth P46,000, a lady's diamond-encrusted ring worth P30,000, and two pairs of earrings worth P2,000.

Seno said she put her bag under a chair where members of her committee had placed theirs.

After the incident Centro police and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) members screened the people that came in and out of the CICC but their efforts failed to find the bag.

Police are now waiting for a warrant to be issued for Parba's arrest.