BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA & MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – Two men who were allegedly involved in a series of burglary incidents in this city were arrested in a hot-pursuit operation by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Police Station 8 late Wednesday night.
Police identified the arrested as 23-year-old Francis Buenavista Agustin of Purok Kaingin in Barangay Singcang-Airport and 18-year-old Rhys Vincent Tanghal of Maanyag 2 in Barangay Alijis.
Capt. Melvin Mercado, station commander of Police Station 8, said they initially received a complaint from a resident in Barangay Singcang-Airport that his car was broken into by unidentified individuals who stole mechanical tools.
A follow-up operation was immediately organized which resulted in the arrest of both suspects. The police recovered the stolen mechanical tools hidden by the suspects in an emptied sack.
As the cops were frisking the suspects, they further recovered two plastic sachets of suspected shabu valued at around P6,800.
According to Mercado, they performed a background check on the suspects.
The cops then found out that Agustin was also involved in another burglary case back in 2022, which went viral on social media.
In December 2022, Agustin was caught on video trying to steal a manhole cover along Araneta Street near the flyover in Barangay Singcang-Airport.
The burglary was foiled after he was confronted by the individuals who took the video, as well as a nearby security guard. Agustin was forced to return the manhole cover.
Both suspects are now facing charges of theft and possession of illegal drugs.
Victims urged to surface, police told to joint patrol
In light of the recent break-ins among homes and business establishments, Mercado has forwarded a message to Agustin’s possible victims to surface and urged them to file criminal charges against the suspects.
Meanwhile, BCPO director Col. Noel Aliño lauded the quick resolution made by operatives at Police Station 8.
Aliño has also ordered all station commanders in this city to coordinate with officials of the 61 barangays here to conduct joint patrolling.
“I order all station commanders to coordinate sa mga barangays to conduct joint patrolling ang Philippine National Police, barangay tanods, and crime volunteers sa mga areas of jurisdiction,” Aliño said.
Aliño had earlier warned police station chiefs under the BCPO that administrative charges may be filed against them if they do not solve and arrest the individuals behind the recent burglary incidents./PN
