Thieves break in Abra RTC; steal evidence

By Maritess Benas

BANGUED, Abra – The resolution of cases here at the Regional Trial Court would be delayed after many important pieces of evidence were ransacked and carted away by still unidentified thieves last week.

The RTC Branch 2 which is housed in the Don Quintin Paredes Justice Hall and situated within the compounds of the Provincial Capitol, was robbed of very important evidences that would have defined the speedy resolution of the various cases like violation of the gun ban and other crimes committed against persons.

In a report made by the Bangued Municipal Police Station through SPO4 Leo P. Villano who is investigating the case, Judge Corpuz B. Alzate, presiding judge of RTC branch 2, reported the robbery on April 7.

Employees of the RTC said the robbery have happened between midnight to dawn of April 6 – 7.
The perpetrators forcibly opened the wooden cabinet by destroying the padlock and carted away exhibited firearms: one M79 grenade launcher; two M14 riffles and assorted handguns. These firearms are now the subject of inventory.

Police said the thieves could have used the sliding windows at the eastern portion of the building as entry and exit point since the two security guards on duty failed to notice the robbery.

The security guards from the Panther Security System were identified as Jerson Claor of Brgy. Poblacion, Dolores and Bernie Tullas of Barangay Banglolaw, Bucay, both from Abra.

The robbery at the RTC happened when the “Justice On Wheels” of the Supreme Court was about to come Abra.

Because of this, residents said justice may not be attained with the loss of the pieces of evidence kept in the court.