BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Rep. Greg Gasataya has sought the help of the Bacolod City Police Office in investigating the theft of a manhole cover in front of Robinsons Place mall Monday night.
Gasataya, who personally checked the area, said he already told city police director, P/Col. Manuel Placido, about the incident, adding that he furnished the latter a copy of the video captured by a nearby closed-circuit television camera showing how the manhole cover was stolen.
The nearly two-minute video showed two unidentified men on a motorcycle detaching the cover of the manhole, owned by the Philippine Long Distance Company.
Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineer Jaime Javellana said they already installed an early warning device in the area to avoid accidents.
BCPO spokesperson, P/Major Sherlock Gabana, said that Placido has ordered policemen to check if similar incidents occurred in their areas of jurisdiction. Gabana said junkshops will also be checked and warned against buying manhole covers, adding that they, too, will be meted appropriate penalties.*
