By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An estimated P2.6 million worth of cash and bank checks were carted away by still unidentified robbers after they burglarized the house owned by a municipal treasurer at Las Palmas Doña Juliana Subdivision in Bacolod City’s Barangay Taculing on January 28.

Police identified the official as Neneth Escarda, municipal treasurer for Negros Occidental’s Isabela town.

Police Station 6 commander, Captain Dax Santillan said, based on Escarda’s statement to police, she woke up and found her belongings had been ransacked.

The victim noticed that several important documents, including an envelope containing bank checks, were missing.

The missing cash amounted to at least P2.6 million, while the missing bank checks are estimated at around P3.8 million.

It is believed that the money was owned by the Isabela municipal government, and police are currently investigating, not just the robbery, but also as to why the victim was bringing the said documents to her house.

Meanwhile, Isabela municipal police chief, Captain Ar-jay Dangarang said the municipal government is now conducting an audit.

Mayor Irene Montilla said a new municipal treasurer will replace Escarda while the investigation is taking place.

Montilla said the decision to replace Escarda was made following a meeting with provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz.

The investigation against Escarda will be conducted by the Provincial Legal Office, since only the provincial government has the jurisdiction to appoint a municipal treasurer for the town./DGB, WDJ