'Tunnel burglars' hit Pasay pawnshop

MANILA, Philippines - Burglars dug a tunnel leading to a pawnshop at the corner of Malibay street and EDSA in Pasay City and stole P2 million worth of jewelry and P200,000.

Police said Mariel Linajeras, security guard of Ablaza pawnshop, discovered the loss after opening the shop about 6:45 a.m. yesterday.

A source told The STAR that a manhole near the pawnshop had been emitting smoke as early as June 12. The pawnshops are located on a busy street where jeepney drivers pass by regularly and pedicab drivers had set up a queue.

The Ablaza pawnshop is beside the Unicorn pawnshop, which lost P1.3 million worth of jewelry and valuables to tunnel burglars in December 2010.

Ablaza cashier Marife Lopez told police the burglars opened their vault using a crowbar, pliers, and a screwdriver.

Police have also recovered a heavy-duty jack under the manhole where the burglars were believed to have entered.