City Hall to sue suspect, shop over stolen manholes

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City government is set to file charges against a man and a junk shop after authorities recovered stolen manhole covers in City Proper.

The Iloilo City Police Office said a 29-year-old resident of Barangay Sto. Rosario-Duran, City Proper, was arrested on Friday, August 29, following a hot pursuit operation.

The suspect was apprehended at his home after his sister reportedly cooperated with police and surrendered a tricycle allegedly used in the crime.

Police said the suspect later led investigators to a junk shop in Barangay Loboc, La Paz, where he admitted to selling the stolen steel manhole covers.

The shop owner voluntarily turned over the stolen items to authorities.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the city will pursue legal action against both the suspect and the junk shop to discourage theft of public property.

She said the case will serve as a warning that the city does not tolerate such acts and remains committed to public safety.

“In that matter, we all should have discipline […] We need to find the people behind these incidents. This is for public safety,” she said.

The mayor also received a report from another junk shop owner in Barangay Calajunan, Mandurriao, who said they had unknowingly purchased a steel manhole cover believed to be stolen.

The shop owner said they became suspicious after hearing news reports about a missing drain cover along Delgado Street in City Proper.