Theft of Php .5M at DPWH Puzzles NBI

LEGAZPI CITY (22 October) - CASH REPORTEDLY AT HALF MILLION PESOS was reported stolen at the office of Engineer IV Arnold Matamorosa, head of the Task Force Office for the Albay Second Congressional District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

However, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Bicol district office Legazpi City head, Atty. Manuel Antonio M. Eduarte, bared that the reported theft puzzles NBI investigators; evidence of forcible entry was only found on the door entrance of Matamorosa's office and none on the major entrances of the office building.

Eduarte said a staff of Matamorosa reported the theft last Oct. 16 in which NBI investigators found that a door-knob of Matamorosa's office was destroyed; finger prints from the crime scene were also found.

Only scratches of a glass-cutter were found on the door glass of a main-entrance which was still intact, Eduarte said.

Sources at DPWH regional office here revealed that the incident was only made known to DPWH Regional Director Danilo Manalang last Oct.20. Reportedly, Matamorosa had not filed an official report to DPWH concerning the theft.

Immediately after being notified, Manalang through the office of the Regional Administration for Personnel had issued a memorandum to Matamorosa on Oct. 20 demanding an explanation within 24-hours why such an amount was kept at Matamorosa's office table.

Matamorosa was reported to have left for Manila on Oct.21 ignoring Manalang's memorandum.

Meanwhile, sources at the office of Director Manalang also disclosed that the Regional Director will order an administrative probe on the lost amount after it was learned that more than the P 500,000 declared by Matamorosa was allegedly lost in his office.

Official sources here said the amount is part of some P 21-Million cash payment to a certain Hi-Tone Construction firm under an awarded contract on the multi-million "Legazpi City - Anislag, Daraga town, farm-to-market road project."

In the meantime, it was reported that Albay Second District Congressman Al Francis Bichara, who earlier requested the DPWH for the creation of Matamorosa's "task-force" for the implementation of the projects under his district, has also made an inquiry why the supposed contractor's payment was kept in Matamorosa's office.          (SONNY SALES)