Janitor caught stealing BI supplies

MANILA, Philippines – A contractual janitor at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) was arrested in the act of reportedly stealing the agency’s office equipment and supplies worth P141,000 Thursday morning.

Federico Manuel Jr., 25, was brought to the theft and robbery section of the Manila Police District by Richard Casis, BID’s confidential agent, who discovered the theft. Two garbage bags containing 15 cartons of colored jet printer ink and six boxes of toner cartridge were also surrendered by Casis to Chief Inspector Edgar Carpio.

Carpio said at around 4 a.m. Thursday. Manuel and another janitor, Darwin Agustin, reported for work earlier than their usual time of 6 a.m. The two janitors said they have to start cleaning the BI offices early so as not to disturb the employees.

Casis, who became suspicious, observed the two men bringing out two garbage bags from the back of the BI building. Casis also saw a tricycle parked outside the BI fence.

When Casis ordered the two to open the garbage bags, Agustin ran while the tricycle sped away, leaving Manuel holding the bags.

Carpio said they are now investigating whether Casis and Agustin could be behind the previous thefts of supplies at the BI.

Manuel and Agustin, who remains at large, were charged with qualified theft, even as a manhunt was launched against the latter.