MCA BURNING
More gang members to
face arson charges

More suspected members of the burglary group, Lupin, are now facing arson charges for their alleged involvement in the break-in and burning of the principal's office at the Mansilingan Christian Academy in Bacolod City Tuesday, the fire bureau said yesterday.

Aside from Francis Sambilad, and cousins Albert, Andres, and Jay, all surnamed Esquila, their six other companions will also be charged with arson by the Bureau of Fire Protection for their alleged participation in the razing of the office of MCA principal, Serah Grace Arcolas, FO3 Harry Fernandez, said.

Fernandez said they could not give a definite date when they could file the cases against the 10, but he added, they are just completing the needed documents so they could submit them to the court soon.

Police Station 7 commander, Senior Insp. Reynaldo Auditor, meanwhile, said they were preparing the robbery charges against Sambilad and the Esquilas.

They are still working to capture the other Lupin members, he added.

The four are alleged members of the gang, which, Auditor said, was involved in burglaries and robberies in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod , and nearby areas.

The suspects denied involvement in the burglary and burning but Sambilad and Andres Esquila both admitted to have transacted with a certain “Jason”, who leads Lupin, to transport and sell the stolen computer sets and accessories.

The BFP estimated the damage to the quarters at P600,000. The school administration had to suspend classes because of the incident.*PP

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Man steals
fighting cocks, nabbed

A man is now facing several theft charges after he allegedly stole at least 20 fighting cocks and broke into a parked vehicle in Bacolod City , the police said yesterday.

Theft charges will be filed against Christian Erta, 25, who is temporarily residing at Purok Tahong, Brgy. 2, Bacolod , Police Station 2 commander, Senior Inspector Luisito Acebuche, said.

Erta was nabbed by Acebuche's group at about 10 p.m. Tuesday in an operation after Antonio Martin reported to them, that unidentified persons broke into his Isuzu DMAX and took his valuables at Sto. Niño Stop, Brgy. 2, at about 2 a.m. on the same day.

The suspect was also tagged by a number of complainants to be the one who stole their fighting cocks, Acebuche said.

Twelve cocks were recovered by Police Station 2 operatives at Purok Bulgan, Brgy. 1, in the city, at about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, after Erta pinpointed where he had disposed the animals, he added.

Eight more fighting cocks were later recovered from a compound at Brgy. 2, Acebuche said.

They are now working with the owners of the stolen items so the charges against Erta could be filed, he added.*PP

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