NEGROS Occidental policemen on Thursday arrested three suspected thieves in the act of stealing an estimated P14.1 million worth of telco cell site batteries in Bacolod City, according to a report to Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. yesterday.

Arrested during an entrapment operation along Mabini Street in Barangay 25, Bacolod City were Erwin Aribato, 30; Romelyn Quiatchon, 26; and Joseph Villanueva, 30, all of the nearby Bgy. Banago.

The trio were caught in the act of selling the stolen telco batteries to JLC Junkshop/ILC Surplus owned by a certain Dennis Coo Jr.

Police Regional Office 6 director, Brigadier Gen. Sydney N. Villaflor said that members of the Bago City Police Office, the Mabinay Municipal Police Station and the Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Offices were involved in the successful operation that led to the arrest of the three.

Representatives from Globe and Smart companies also played a crucial role in the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen cell site batteries, the official added.

Recovered from the three were 15 12-volt 180AH batteries valued at P1.5 million, 136 batteries owned by Smart and Globe inside the junkshop’s storage facility.

The batteries are said to be worth P13.1 million.

The three suspects were placed under the custody of the Bago City Police Station 1. They will be charged for violating the Anti-Fencing Law.

A similar case will also be filed against the junk shop owner, according to the police. The batteries are now in the custody of the local police.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon