Man sued for theft

A YOUNG man was accused of stealing a bass drum from a private school in Davao City on January 28.

Charged with theft under the Revised Penal Code is Carlo Patricio Gamutan, 18, a student and resident of this city.

Gamutan is temporarily detained at the Sasa police station.

But a concerned citizen, who refused to be named, said he received information that the accused is a minor and has a moderate mental retardation.

Davao City Police Office spokesperson Senior Inspector Catherine dela Rey clarified that the accused is of legal age based on the report of the Sasa police station.

"The parents of the accused have presented the documents during the inquest proceedings last January 30, claiming that the accused is a special child. But the fiscal has ruled na sa court hearing na nila i-present yan (they will present it in the court hearing)," dela Rey said.

In a resolution dated February 1, prosecutor Joseph Mamburam found probable cause to charge the accused based on the complaint filed by Ruelyn Bobiles of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School.

According to the complainant, she was informed by a certain Antonio Dalayon about the theft incident that took place inside the school around 9:40 a.m. last January 28.

Dalayon, in his affidavit, said he saw the respondent carrying a bass drum while jumping over the fence.

School security officer Manuel Dapitanon confronted the accused and recovered the bass drum worth P5,000 from his possession.