KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — The rented residence of Loreto Cabaya Jr., regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XII, was allegedly ransacked by still unidentified individuals on the evening of Thursday, May 7, in Agreda Subdivision, raising renewed concerns over residential security in the city.
According to Cabaya, he discovered the incident upon returning home and finding the interior of the house in disarray. Several personal belongings and valuable items were reportedly missing, indicating that the suspects may have forcibly entered the property while no one was around.
In a statement shared through his social media account, Cabaya revealed that the suspects carted away personal equipment and other important possessions from the rented house. The incident immediately prompted authorities to respond to the scene.
Personnel of the Philippine National Police and the Koronadal City Police Station swiftly conducted an initial investigation and processed the area for possible evidence that could lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
Authorities have yet to disclose the exact amount or value of the stolen items, while investigators continue to determine how the suspects gained access to the residence and whether the incident was premeditated.
Despite the incident, Cabaya expressed gratitude to responding police officers for their immediate action and assistance during the investigation.
The DSWD official also issued a public appeal urging residents to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their communities against criminal activities.
He encouraged the public to strengthen neighborhood cooperation, report suspicious activities immediately, and actively participate in maintaining peace and order to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The burglary has sparked concern among residents in Koronadal City, particularly amid reports of increasing property-related crimes in some urban communities. Authorities are continuing their investigation and are now reviewing possible leads, including witness accounts and nearby surveillance footage, to identify the suspects behind the ransacking incident.