• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu appealed to junk shop owners in Bacolod not to accept stolen items following a report that the marker for the Tindalo tree planted by President Manuel Quezon located at the Bacolod City Public Plaza is missing.
According to Chiu, Mayor Greg Gasataya already issued a memorandum authorizing the General Service Officer to file a case against the suspect and to cooperate with the police.
“To our junk shop there, please, stop entertaining and buying stolen items of the city government, as well as other private properties. They should not entertain as they will also be included in the case,” said Chiu, noting that the main purpose of the thief was to sell the marker.
He added that they will go after the fence, including their business permits and clearances in the city.
The bronze marker of the 87-year-old tree planted on October 19, 1938 by Quezon, together with Alfredo Montelibano Sr., was reported missing on October 13.
Chiu said that the installation of CCTVs in the public plaza is also underway.*
