Arson of Sagada resto hit; P250-K reward up for info

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA Mountain Province -- Residents of this tourist town and those overseas condemned the intentional burning of two buildings at Kiltepan Peak found at the eastern part of the town where the most visited Kiltepan sunrise is viewed.

This as reward was upped to P250,000 to anyone who could give information to whoever committed the act of  getting the two structures explode and burned at Kiltepan Peak night of Nov. 8 

              Businessman Wilson Capuyan who owns said structures said the initial award of P200,000 provided by him was increased to P250,000 with the addition of P50,000 from a sympathizer.  

In their petition circulated in town and online, Sagada residents condemned the burning strongly believed to be arson saying the  inayan culture of the cultural town here should be upheld.

             Inayan mandates people to do good to others lest misfortune befalls to the perpetrator or members of the immediate family of anyone who does an evil act to another.

            Four blasts of explosion followed by rapid pealing of the church bell gripped and disturbed the people of Sagada night of Nov. 8 at 9 p.m.

Residents, officers and personnel of the local government unit, Bureau of Fire and Philippine National Police rushed to Kiltepan Viewpoint to put out the fire but saw the restaurant and residential cottage were already burned.

               Police investigation revealed that exploded IEDs (improvised exploded devise) were found at the private room and concrete flooring of the bungalow restaurant while four sets of explosives were dound at two concrete posts and in between the beam and wall of the residential cottage.

Found in the vicinity were 13 unused dynamite sticks near the cottage and burned commercial safety fuse.

Sagada native Rachel Capuyan - Killip currently residing at the US said online, “let inayan disturb the minds of these evil people  ta bumala da ay menpakawan (so they will ask for forgiveness.”

              Residents in their online statement appealed to “Kabunian (God) that He exact justice and retribution on whoever did the evil act and violated the rights of the property owner and the very culture of inayan of the people of Sagada.”

              Investigation of the crime is still ongoing.