CASINO TO OFFER REWARD
THE management of the Pagcor casino in Mandaue City plans to offer a cash reward to anyone who can give information leading to the arrest of the security officer accused of running off with P2.8 million of the casino’s money, said Renato Osmeña Jr., branch manager.
Three days after the heist, police are still tracking down Pascual Urian, the casino’s security officer who was seen boarding a taxi past midnight with a bag of money bills.
The police search reached Bohol province, where Urian’s parents and siblings live in barangay Tabon in Talibon town.
Led by Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, police went there Sunday and searched neighboring barangays but failed to find Urian.
Police said Urian’s mother fell ill after learning about the robbery and the alleged role of her son. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA
NBI OFFICE OPENS IN MANDAUE MALL
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has opened a satellite office in Mandaue City.
Edward Villarta, NBI-7 regional director, said in a press conference, the satellite officein JCentre Mall will help reduce the volume of people applying for NBI clearances in the NBI region 7 office in barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City.
It takes only five to ten minutes to process and release an NBI clearance but because of the big crowd, the process takes more than an hour, said Villarta.
Villarta thanked Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and the management of JCentre Mall for providing additional personnel and office space.
Joemar Ostia, JCentre mall executive consultant, said they are willing to provide the 60.2 square meters space and four computer units. NBI provides the software.
Reynaldo Esmeralda deputy director of NBI, Manila, said this is the fifth NBI clearance satellite center for Central Visayas.
It can serve a maximum of 600 individuals per day.
He advised the public to follow the regular process and avoid using fixers./CORRESPONDENTS FE MARIE D. DUMABOC AND NORMAN V. MENDOZA
TRUCK RAMS FENCE, 2 KILLED
TWO persons were killed when a 10-wheeler truck rammed a fence of a church in barangay Poog, Toledo City, southern Cebu.
The 30-year-old truck driver, Rowen Casas, was killed as well as the mason Jonathan Ravanes, who was working on the fence when the accident occurred past 3 p.m. last Monday.
The truck with plate number GWA-893 is owned by Filipinas Transport Inc.
Police said the truck was negotiating a curve in the road in sitio Tambis when the brakes malfunctioned.
The truck rammed the perimeter fence of the Sacred Heart Parish Church and damaged a sari-sari store./REPORTER RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL
CALL CENTER AGENT ROBBED
A 23-YEAR-OLD call center agent reported to the police that he lost P38,000 cash to armed robbers in barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City.
Marvin Anticamara was riding a tricycle on his way to work when he was robbed past midnight yesterday.
Anticamara said he was supposed to deposit the money in the bank later in the day.
Anticamara said he was already in the tricycle when two men flagged down the vehicle.
One man sat beside him while the other man sat behind the driver.
Along the way, one man poked a gun at Anticamara while the other man drew a knife and took the money from his bag.
Anticamara, who also has a small lending business, said he was able to jump out the tricycle.
The case is under investigation, said PO3 Elmer Canillo of the Lpau-Lapu City police. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA
MAN NABBED FOR RAPE CHARGES
A MAN facing rape charges was arrested in barangay Sambag Uno, Cebu City.
Police said Raymond Lim, 32, a native of San Carlos City, is facing five counts of rape and a charge of acts of lasciviousness.
A warrant was issued by Judge Abraham Cana in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Police said Lim was accused of molesting six children aged seven to nine in 2000 in San Carlos City.
Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City police, said the arrest came after they were tipped off of Lim’s whereabouts.
Lim denied the accusations against him. He said he was not aware why he was charged./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON AND SWU INTERN AGNES DOMASIG