A TRAINING center at Barangay Alangilan in Bacolod City, which is still under construction, was damaged after five unidentified armed men threw stones at the windows and attempted to burn the building on Monday, November 12.
Police records showed that one of the armed men asked the caretaker of the building if she has a firearm, and took her cellular phone.
She was then locked in the room when they committed the crime.
The perpetrators hit the sliding doors and glass windows with stones and woods.
They also attempted to burn the wall using a nylon rope and a plastic bottle of soft drinks but they failed.
The estimated cost of damage was pegged at P17, 200.
Initially, police were informed that 27 armed men were sighted at the area that's why they opted to proceed to the area the following day for security reasons.
But upon verification, the caretaker told them she just saw five armed men. She was unharmed.
Police are eyeing threat or revenge against the management of the training center as the motive of the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.
Chief Inspector Carmelo Nermal, head of Police Station 5, dismissed reports there were sightings of armed men near a resort in Talisay City after the incident.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia clarified Tuesday, November 13, he did not own any property in Barangay Alangilan.
Leonardia issued the statement after his name was mentioned in a media report that he owned the lot where the training center was constructed.
“I do not have any property in Barangay Alangilan, where did the report come from? I think this is all about politics,” Leonardia said.
He said the area was owned by a businessman in Bacolod. (with reports from Merlinda A. Pedrosa)