• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Two government geodetic engineers reported a burglary incident on Tuesday where their government-issued laptops and personal belongings were taken from at their residence at Cristina Homes Subdivision, Barangay III in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
The victims were identified as Engr. Lavin Murillo, a 29-year-old geodetic engineer working in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR–CENRO) Bacolod, and Engr. Xuchille Krisha Mae Rivas, a 28-year-old geodetic engineer under the City Engineer’s Office of La Carlota City. Both were residents of the same household.
Based on their sworn statement, Murillo had briefly left their home at around 2:30 p.m. and returned 30 minutes later and found their bedroom door forcibly opened. Upon checking, the two discovered that two government-issued laptops and several belongings went missing.
Upon discovery, the victims personally appeared at the La Carlota Component City Police Station around 8:35 p.m. to file the report.
Stolen items include a navy blue Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) issued by the DENR–CENRO Bacolod worth P89,000 and a unit of Lenovo LOQ Essential 151 RX11 issued by the City Engineer’s Office of La Carlota City valued at P64,000.
Rivas also reported that her wallet, which contained her driver’s license, professional license, Land Bank ATM card, GCash card, various receipts, and P1,000 in cash, was likewise missing.
Police investigators noted signs of forced entry, including a broken doorknob and visible hand and foot marks at the scene. The estimated total value of the stolen items is approximately P154,000.
Authorities are now conducting a dragnet operation for the possible identification and apprehension of the possible burglars, noting that the stolen devices contain confidential government information.*
