MANILA, Philippines—A pawnshop in Valenzuela City lost P2.2 million worth of cash and valuables when thieves broke into the establishment Monday morning, police said on Tuesday.

The branch manager, Mary Deang, discovered the incident as she reported to work Monday morning, telling police that those found missing were P2 million worth of jewelry, P200,000 worth of cash, and several mobile phones, said Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao, Northern Police District chief.

Deang discovered the looting when the noticed that the gate leading to the pawnshop was broken. Upon entering the shop, Deang also found that the vault where all the valuables were kept was forced open, Pagdilao said.

The pawnshop was located along Santiago St. in Maysan Road.

Initial police investigation revealed that the suspects gained entry inside the pawnshop by drilling a hole on the concrete wall from the adjacent building.

A witness, identified as Emelina Doneza, said that prior to the incident, a certain Jones Reyes approached her and asked to rent the vacant warehouse. However, after giving the down payment, Reyes disappeared, Pagdilao said, citing witness accounts.

He said that a manhunt has been launched against Reyes.

Police were also looking into the possible connection of the so-called “Acetylene Gang” behind the incident. The group uses the chemical acetylene to forcibly open an establishment.