Taguig employees return P50,000

A moment of forgetfullness would have cost a security detachment commander almost P50,000 if not for the honesty of employees of the Taguig Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).

Artemio Rosales, detachment commander of Chevron Security Agency manning Diego Silang Village in Barangay Ususan, Taguig, was extremely overjoyed when the clutch bag containing his hard-earned money amounting to P47,674, important documents and other valuables were returned to him in front of Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga.

"Malaki ang pasasalamat ko at mabubuti ang loob ninyong mga taga-City Hall. Pinaghirapan ko ang perang iyan kaya kahanga-hanga ang ipinakita ninyong katapatan sa tungkulin," Rosales said.

He recalled putting down his clutch bag as he made a call inside a phone booth at the corner of MRT Avenue (formerly Cuasay Road) and C-5 Road, in Western Bicutan, Taguig at about 7:30 a.m. last Tuesday.

After completing his call, he hopped on his motorcycle and sped off, leaving behind his bag.

Minutes after Rosales left, POSO officers Rogelio Casas, Dante Ojales, Vivencio Esmin, Rogelio Sumulong, Charito Ramirez, Elsa Ruaza, Sabina Dozal, Feliciano Sta. Ana and Enrique Casas arrived at the area for their usual patrol.

The group conducts traffic assistance and anti-vending operations in the area during rush hours.

A woman working at a nearby store spotted the clutch bag from afar, and, fearing that it contained explosives, called the attention of Ruaza.

The POSO officers checked the bag and discovered that it contained money. They immediately turned the bag over to team leader Julio Bautista.

Upon orders from POSO chief Lt. Jesus Merilo, the group took the bag to City Hall.

Rosales, realizing he had left his bag, rushed back to the phone booth and learned from people in the area that he could claim it at City Hall.