BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental provincial government has tightened security measures after the discovery of over half a million pesos worth of supplies missing from the Provincial Engineer’s Office motorpool.
Atty. Alberto Nellas, head of the Provincial Legal Office (PLO), said on Wednesday, Dec. 6, that they will install additional security cameras in their facilities.
It was determined that no surveillance cameras were installed inside the motorpool situated in Bacolod City.
The stolen items, based on PLO records, were vehicle batteries worth P472,553 and motor oil worth P282,753.
Nellas added that they are now coordinating with the Bacolod City Police Office for a case build-up.
Several persons of interest have already been identified, but the legal officer has refused to name them pending investigation.
Local authorities are not dismissing the possibility of an inside job or security negligence. Arnel Argusar, head of the Provincial General Services Office, said they discovered the robbery following their regular inventory on Oct. 31.
According to their initial probe, the burglars accessed a hole in the wall of the motorpool’s supply room. The hole was not easily noticed as the suspects covered it with hollow blocks.
Argusar believed the suspects had been occupying the house adjacent to the supply room.
Meanwhile, the house owner denied the allegations of being an accessory to the burglary. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
