Man loots alma mater

MANILA, Philippines - A graduate of an elementary school in Quezon City took the phrase “benefiting from the education system” to a new level by robbing his alma mater of around P150,000 worth of gadgets last week.

Christopher Santos, 21, was arrested before dawn on April 11 after allegedly taking various equipment from Libis Elementary School along Boni Serrano Avenue.

Police Officer 3 Marlon dela Vega said barangay watchmen chanced upon Santos as he was leaving the school with a computer and monitor at around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. The suspect, however, was able to evade arrest and left the equipment worth P43,000 on the pavement.

He was arrested two hours later at a bingo gaming center he frequented in Eastwood City, Barangay Bagumbayan.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect, who graduated from the school in 2005, had ransacked the guidance counselor’s office prior to his encounter with the barangay watchmen.  

Dela Vega said the suspect was able to enter the school by forcing open the iron grills of the window.

The school reported losing another computer and monitor worth P52,000, an LCD monitor worth P21,000, two closed-circuit television cameras worth P3,700 and a CCTV system worth P37,000.