P4.3M halaga ng solar street lights, ninakaw sa Iloilo

• 129 solar street lights worth more than P4.3 million were stolen in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
• Three barangays were left with darker roads after the street lights gradually disappeared
• CCTV footage showed a man removing street lights from electric posts before dawn
• Authorities have already identified the suspect and his alleged accomplice

Sta. Barbara, Iloilo lost 129 solar street lights worth around P4.3 million after thieves reportedly took them from three barangays.

According to a report by Saksi through GMA Regional TV, residents and barangay officials gradually noticed that several road lights in their communities had started disappearing. Barangay Bolongweste and nearby areas were among those affected.

CCTV footage captured a man climbing a street light post along the National Highway past 3:00 a.m. A few moments later, he was seen sliding down while carrying two street lights.

The suspect then allegedly targeted another post and removed another light using tools he brought with him. Authorities said the suspects simply loosened the bolts before taking the solar street lights.

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A barangay captain from Bolongweste expressed concern over the incident and the huge loss to the government.

“Kadako gid nga loss para sa gobyerno kag bulig man tani ini sa pag-beautify sang lugar,” the official said.

The barangay captain added that the street lights were supposed to help improve both the appearance and safety of the area, especially since Sta. Barbara is known as a heritage town and a gateway near the airport.

Reports said all 129 solar street lights stolen came from three barangays. Because of the theft, several roads and public areas were left dark once again, causing worry among residents, especially at night.

Authorities have already identified the man seen in the CCTV footage, along with his alleged accomplice. According to the report, the suspect had supposedly been involved in a similar street light theft case before, but no complaint was filed against him at that time.

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Police are now continuing their operation to locate and arrest the suspects. Investigators are also trying to determine where the stolen street lights were taken or possibly sold.

Watch the video below:

In other news, a tragic altercation in Bocaue resulted in the death of a 45-year-old woman after she was reportedly attacked by her younger half-brother. Law enforcement officials indicated that the conflict was triggered by a disagreement regarding a request for fare money. The victim suffered several fatal injuries during the encounter and was pronounced dead prior to her arrival at the local hospital. Following the incident the 33-year-old suspect was taken into custody by police and is anticipated to be charged with murder.

Still in other news, a 37-year-old resident of Bokod was apprehended for the alleged murder of his 74-year-old mother within their shared community. The grim discovery occurred when a nearby resident noticed remains partially exposed from a shallow grave in the area. Investigators uncovered forensic evidence and bloodstains within the residence that the suspect occupied with the deceased. Local police are currently conducting a deeper inquiry to determine the specific reasons behind this violent act.

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In other developments, emergency responders in Zamboanga City successfully extracted a 10-foot python found coiled inside a parked car, an operation recorded in a Bureau of Fire Protection video that quickly went viral. In Aurora, wildlife officials safely released a Northern Luzon giant cloud rat back into its natural forest environment to help conserve the rare and elusive endemic species. Meanwhile, residents of Libon, Albay were surprised by the discovery of a five-meter oarfish—often called a “doomsday fish” in folklore—found dead along the shoreline of Barangay Pantao. While the incident sparked fears of possible seismic activity, marine experts are investigating environmental factors that may have driven the deep-sea fish to the surface.

Source: KAMI.com.gh