Robbers steal cash grants worth P2.7M for 4Ps beneficiaries

BAGUIO CITY — Robbers took P2.7 million worth of funds for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries in Tinoc, Ifugao Tuesday night.

Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera staff members Marlon Padolnaton Guimangad, Chester Bulayo Guazon and Jeffrey Humiwat Buhyag were carrying the cash grants aboard two motorcycles en route to Sitio Awa at Barangay Julongan in Kiangan town when they were robbed at gunpoint.

Guazon was reportedly carrying the black backpack where the money was placed. He was aboard a motorcycle driven by Buhyag while Guimangad boarded another motorcycle.

The three gunmen wearing black masks and wielding flashlights flagged them down and pointed their pistols at the three as they declared a robbery.

The DSWD-Cordillera staff members said the robbers fled towards Proper Julongan of Kiangan town.

SPO1 Berito Dulnuan Jr., who is investigating the case, said police are still looking for possible witnesses because the area where the reported robbery occurred was very dark and uninhabited.

Police also claimed that the employees’ late report of the alleged robbery is affecting their investigation. According to authorities, the DSWD-Cordillera staff reported that the robbery happened at around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday but they only reported it to police over five hours later.