Subic security chief axed over spate of robberies

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Feliciano Salonga has ordered the immediate suspension of the Freeport’s law enforcement chief to give way to a "full-dress" investigation into the series of robberies inside the special economic zone.

"The disturbing situation has caused embarrassment to the SBMA leadership and tainted the reputation of the Freeport as a safe and secure economic zone," Salonga told The STAR.

"Whether intentional or not, it has already caused embarrassment to the SBMA and that really is what hurts me," he said.

Last Monday, burglars carted away P1.8 million in cash from the "highly secured" SBMA treasury office in administration building 229.

Freeport authorities have sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies to put an end to the spate of robberies.

Salonga said the suspension of Col. Jaime Calungsad, head of the SBMA’s law enforcement department (LED), would prevent him from interfering in the investigation.

"We are not discounting the possibility that some LED members, including Calungsad himself, could be accomplices to the crime," he said.

"If Calungsad has the delicadeza, he should file his resignation," he added.

Investigation showed that the burglars were able to open the safety vault of the SBMA’s treasury department without being detected by the Freeport’s security officers who are equipped with high-tech, closed—circuit TV cameras and other surveillance gadgets installed inside the building.

The robberies have reportedly also victimized Chowking, the Monkok Chinese restaurant, Italian bistro A Tavola, Anne’s Kitchenette, and Wimpy’s Restaurant.

Burglaries were also reported in the supposedly secure housing areas in Kalayaan and Binictican where investors and top SBMA officials reside.

Salonga revealed that the vacation house of former Philippine National Police chief, now Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane was burglarized not just once but thrice.

There were also break-ins in the houses of prominent politicians and businessmen.

Ironically, Salonga said these robberies remain unsolved.

The Freeport has 862 security personnel composed of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) members, Forest Rangers, and men of the K-9 anti-bombing squad, and harbor and security patrol group, overseeing the 67,452-hectare sea and land boundaries of the sprawling special ecozone.

"We must admit, so that the public would know that there is, indeed, a series of unsolved burglary cases and it has been approaching epidemic proportions," Salonga said.

Investors have asked SBMA officials to replace Calungsad with a more competent security chief to maintain peace and order in the Freeport.