Jail guard nabbed for theft

A guard of the Cebu provincial jail was arrested yesterday in connection with the theft of 35 sacks of rice.

Antonieto Babor didn’t resist arrest.

Bail was recommended at P60,000.

The Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office recommended that he stand trial on charges of qualified theft.

Police served an arrest warrant issued by Regional trial Court Judge Sylvia Aguirre Paderanga.

Babor was acting assistant supply officer and rice custodian at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) at barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

He earlier lied about delivering 35 sacks of rice intended for disaster and emergency purposes to the Capitol.

“Respondent (Babor) had been designated as custodian of the subject stocks of rice. By such designation, it is apparent that a high degree of confidence was reposed upon him,” said Assistant City Prosecutor Alex Gabud in his resolution.

No rice arrived at the Capitol.

Babor was seen unloading three sacks of rice from a van near his house later that day.

The prosecutor said that as a jail guard, Babor had the obligation to protect and preserve the stocks of rice.

“The consequent act of the respondent of taking the said stocks of rice with intent to gain was an act of grave abuse… which would make him liable for qualified theft,” the prosecutor said.

Babor failed to submit a  counter-affidavi.

At least three witnesses executed affidavits against Babor. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus