By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
A REGIONAL judge yesterday called off hearings scheduled in his courtroom as a result of a burglary that was carried out either on Wednesday night or at dawn yesterday.
Whoever was responsible for the burglary succeeded in stealing vital evidence––guns and ammunition. Judge Jeoffre Acebido of the 41st branch of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here decided to order the postponement of hearings in his sala to allow investigators to comb his office and courtroom for clues.
Police and court personnel declined to say which case the pieces of evidence were for. The Gold Star Daily however learned that Acebido was supposed to hear a murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder case involving a Lanao del Sur politician’s relative yesterday morning. The judge was also scheduled to hear cases of qualified theft, illegal recruitment, and illegal arms possession involving a police official.
The building located at the capitol compound houses Acebido’s courtroom, and RTC Branch 40. SPO1 Alendelon Bacubao of the Divisoria police confirmed that several firearms and bullets being kept inside Acebido’s office were stolen possibly between Wednesday night and before the first light of day yesterday. An inventory is being made at presstime.
Alendelon said the burglary was first discovered by a guard identified as Allan Bolivar of the Jamila and Co. Security Agency at around 6 am yesterday.
The burglar or burglars entered Acebido’s office through one of the windows at the back of the building. There were no window grills, and the burglar or burglars easily removed one of the glass windows.
Police said Bolivar immediately informed court utility worker Edwin Bauyaban of his discovery. Bolivar said the burglary took place under the watch of another guard identified as Junrey Abbott. “Pagrelibo nako ni Abbott, na-abli na man ang bintana. Nagtawag dayon ko ug police,” said Bolivar.
Abbott could not be reached for comment at presstime. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a court employee said Acebido was hearing “big cases” ranging from illegal arms possession to murder.
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