THE prosecutors have dismissed the rebellion charges against the employees of United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) but the money will remain under the custody of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), an official said.
Ensign Jesmar Dasas, spokesperson of the PCG-Northern Mindanao, said that according to the resolution, the P32.8-million cash intercepted at Macabalan port in Cagayan de Oro City last June 25 will remain under their custody.
"Sa resolution kasi pinapa-custody sa amin ang pera kaya nakipag-coordinate kami sa Bangko Sentral kung pwede sa kanila ang safekeeping (The resolution states that the money will be under our custody, that is why we are coordinating with the Central Bank, so they can keep it)," Dasas said.
Dasas said they are coordinating with the Central Bank of the Philippines for the safe keeping of the money.
Dasas said the Central Bank has the better place to safeguard the money but the PCG-Northern Mindanao has yet to receive feedback on their request.
"Nasa amin pa sa ngayon ang pera kasi wala pang feedback (We have the money now)," Dasas added.
Four employees of UCBP were supposed to board a vessel to transfer the money to its branch in Cebu City when they were held by the members of the Coast Guard after they failed to show proper documents to transport the money.
The employees were identified as teller Rhodelle Nagac, operations manager Rolando Limbo, security guards Leonilo Enterina, and Reynaldo Puyos including the bank manager of UCPB-Velez branch Ma. Cecilia Lim.
The bank subsequently issued a statement owning the cash transfer as part of their normal procedure, which they said does not require prior approval from the Central Bank.
Dasas said the legal personnel of agency is still studying the possible charges that could be filed against the bank and its four employees.