Tanod arrested for robbing barangay treasurer's office

CEBU, Philippines —  A tanod of Barangay Basak San Nicolas in Cebu City was arrested Monday morning for allegedly breaking into the barangay hall and robbed the treasurer's office Sunday night.

The cops from Mambaling Police Station identified the tanod as Franklin Gerat who was arrested in Barangay Pooc, Talisay City hours after the burglary was committed.

Police Major Dindo Juanito Alaras, Mambaling Police Station chief, said Gerat took P2,500 from the treasurer's office after he failed to open the vault where the barangay fund is kept.

The Mambaling police received the break-in alarm at 6 a.m. Monday. It was reportedly utility worker Aurelia Alquino who noticed the door of the treasurer's office already damaged. The steel cabinet inside where the vault is place was also open.

Alaras said they had also to investigate the barangay tanods considering that several of them were assigned to watch the barangay hall Sunday night.

The suspect has been in service for almost 10 years.

"Wala pa mi background jud kung unsa iyang (motive), pero kasagaran basta kay umaabot ang Pasko, first ang temptation kay daghang mga bonus, second, iya sad guro pang gasto unta nga kwarta kay wala pa man pud mi makuha nga background kung adik ba siya," said Alaras.

Alaras also assessed that Gerat might have known that a huge amount of fund was kept in the vault.

The police have also not yet established if the suspect has companion during the incident as he was the only one to cut the line of the close circuit television (CCTV) camera.

At present, Alaras has recommended to the barangay officials of Basak San Nicolas to conduct a background check to all their tanods and other employees.

Secondly, as the CCTV cameras installed were properly working, Alaras said he recommended to place the fund in a firm and safer place to prevent the burglary from happening again. — GMR (FREEMAN)