A barangay kagawad in Mayombo has denied any participation in the theft of a 75-KV transformer of the Dagupan Electric Corporation (Decorp) from a fallen electric post at the height of Typhoon Cosme.

As proof, Kagawad Robert Rebudal pointed to the incident report signed by Barangay Chairman Samuel Guadiz dated June 10, 2008 on the reported stolen transformer at Sitio Arzadon Compound in Mayombo.

      Rebudal and four other barangay residents were identified by the Dagupan City Police Station as primary suspects in the theft of the transformer.

Police Chief Dionicio Borromeo said on Friday that cases will be filed against Rebudal and the other suspects upon receipt of the affidavit of Decorp.

The barangay official called The PUNCH to clarify and explain his situation upon reading that he was among those identified by the police as being involved in the stolen transformer, the shell of which was found by the police at his (the kagawad’s) premises.

The name of Rebudal as well as Maximo Gerry Escanio, Xander Escanio, Gerald Fernandez and  Dominador Ocson, all of Arzadon Subdivision Compound, Mayombo were identified by Police Chief Dionicio Borromeo  as those of  the suspects in  the theft.

Borromeo earlier told The PUNCH that the suspects were in hiding but thiswas flatly denied by Rebudal.

Also tagged as suspect for violation of the anti-fencing law is the owner of a junkshop in barangay Lucao where the police found the copper coil wire of the transformer.

The incident report signed by Guadiz stated: “Upon further inquiry, Kgd. Rebudal, with the help of concerned residents, kept the transformer shell for safekeeping but has (sic) no direct participation in the stealing incident.”

Rebudal alleged that at the height of Typhoon Cosme, he and his mother were stranded at the Magsaysay Fish Market where they tended to their bangus business and managed to go home only at 2:00 a.m. of May 18, after passing by Lenox Hotel and the Dagupan Police Station.

On their way home, they saw several poles of Decorp toppled down. He said he was informed that the Decorp transformer was separated from the pole just outside his premises when it hit the ground.

Seeing this, he asked residents to cover the transformer with galvanized iron sheet.

At 12 noon of May 19 or two days after typhoon Cosme, Rebudal said his neighbors discovered that the transformer was divested of all its contents, consisting of coil wires. At 3:00 p.m. that day, he asked the residents to put the case inside his premises for safekeeping.

Decorp had earlier refused to restore power in the community unless the residents identified those responsible for the disappearance of the transformer.

The electric company finally relented when the barangay council submitted its report on the incident.—LM

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