BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Police probers are now investigating the P1.3 million missing cash at a rural bank in Brgy.2, poblacion, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental, where its roll up door at the entrance was discovered slightly opened on November 11.
Michael Jelardino, a bank employee and John Paul de Jose, a bank trainee, reported to the Hinobaan police that the deposited cash was missing from the Ilog Rural Bank vault, which they discovered to have been opened.
Demarie Jane Dagon, officer-in-charge of the Ilog Rural Bank-Hinobaan branch, told the police that missing cash was estimated at P1.3 million.
The Hinobaan police immediately requested the assistance of PNP SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) to process the crime scene.
It was found out by the SOCO probers that there was an attempt on the part of the unidentified suspect, or perpetrators, to burn documents and other evidences inside the bank, as indicated by the recovery of face towel soaked with gas, a partially burned mosquito coil, which bonded by eight sticks of matches, which had been placed near the cash vault.
Probers also discovered that the installed CCTVs and vault alarm were unplugged.
The suspect, or perpetrators, may have been familiar, or knowledgeable of the bank, police investigations also showed.
The Hinobaan police also reported the absence of a security guard, during the incident, despite its reminders for the management to secure the bank.
PLt. Jaime Dequillo, deputy Hinobaan police chief, yesterday said that they are eyeing an inside job, or outsiders, have been involved in the heist.
The remaining P4,554 coins inside the vault, however, were not taken.*
