CEBU, Philippines - Authorities have tightened security in venues and billeting areas of athletes participating in the ongoing Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association in City of Naga, Cebu after a lone robber managed to sneak in and robbed a school principal at gunpoint yesterday morning.
Superintendent Jovito Canlapan, Naga City Police chief, said the incident was a big insult to them as they have been preparing for the event for more than a month yet it still happened.
Hundreds of policemen are now detailed to maintain security at the schools where CVIRAA delegates are being billeted.
Naga City police said the incident happened in Langtad Elementary School, where athletes from Tingub National High School in Mandaue City were staying.
According to the report, TNHS principal Abundio Benitez, 53, woke up at 3 a.m. to prepare for the athletes’ meal and the accompanying teachers when he heard a noise by the window.
Benitez, who is part of the CVIRAA food committee, said he approached and opened the window to check but was met by a man wearing a bonnet and long-sleeved shirt.
The man, Benitez said, identified himself as a member of rebel group New People’s Army, tied him up using shoelaces, and had him lie on the floor face down.
He begged the lone man not to harm them and was told not to move while the man rummaged through the school principal’s things until he found a tablet that was being charged.
When Miriam Morata, one of Benitez’s companions, was awakened by the sound the man was making, she shouted in the alarm for the man not to get the tablet.
The man was so startled he immediately ran outside while Benitez, who managed to free himself, immediately close the door.
Benitez said the first time they arrived in the school they were already worried for their safety since only barangay tanods were seen securing the place.
Canlapan said they suspect the man was among the “local boys” or felons living in the vicinity as the same modus (introducing himself as an NPA member) has been done before in Naga.
He said they are eyeing three persons as possible suspects, especially one who was nowhere to be found when the police went to his house. (FREEMAN)