Friday, December 28, 2007 Probe up vs. theft at Capitol By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
PROVINCIAL Administrator Enrique Pinongan Thursday has disclosed the Provincial Government's plan, represented by the Governor's Chief of Staff Jose Ma. Valencia, to create a body of provincial lawyers tasked to investigate personnel allegedly involved in a P220,000 worth of robbery at the Provincial Engineer's Office.
Although police have already identified the six suspects, who allegedly entered the warehouse of the Provincial Engineer's Office at the compound of the Provincial Administration Center on December 26, the capitol still wants a deeper probe on the matter.
Among the reportedly stolen were oil and lubricants for heavy equipment worth P220,000.
Three of the six suspects were arrested last December 26, 2007 and are now at the lock-up cell of Police Station 4 in Bacolod.
They also squealed the names of the three others who remain at large until press time Thursday.
As a matter of policy, Pinongan received report from Valencia that all personnel involved and those who were present at the time of the robbery will also be investigated.
Among them are the watchmen, and the storekeeper-engineer, among others who will be identified by the Provincial Engineer later.
Pinongan still refused to name the suspected employees until further notice from Valencia.
Lawyer Mary Ann Manayon-Lamis of the Provincial Legal Office meantime has already filed appropriate charges against the three suspects arrested by Police Station 4, although one of them is a minor who is presently under the custody of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).
Lamis filed the charges to beat deadline of the reglamentary period granted to the other two suspects.
Manhunt against the three other suspects is now going on although all stolen items were already recovered and now under the custody of Police Station 4.
