Checks for payroll found in Masbate waters

NAGA CITY, Philippines—A fisherman in Masbate province turned over to police nearly P70,000 worth of checks, which were part of the P1.7 million in cash and checks stolen on Friday from a disbursement officer of Claveria town.

The fisherman, Alfonso Espares, found the checks inside a black backpack which he found floating at sea off Masbate City while fishing on Saturday morning, said PO3 Zandro Rivera Cabintoy, Masbate police spokesperson.

Cabintoy, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said investigation showed the backpack belonged to Elieser Alfornon, disbursement officer of Claveria, who reported being held up by two unidentified men at 10 a.m. on Friday while he was walking downtown of Masbate City.

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