Itogon Gold Transaction Leads to Mysterious Loss of P152,000
Cathylaine Kyle B. Acop is seeking justice after her uncle, Joseph Sacpa, lost P152,000 in cash. The money was from the sale of gold that Joseph and his colleagues, all small-scale miners, had extracted in Itogon, Benguet. The incident took place on August 26, 2024, and has left the family determined to find answers.
How the Day Unfolded
On August 26, 2024, Joseph visited the Altigas residence in Simpa, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet, to sell gold that he and his colleagues had mined. After completing the sale, Joseph received P152,000 in cash, which he placed in a transparent cellophane bag.
Before heading home, Joseph stopped at a nearby store to buy bread. Once his errand was finished, he boarded a jeepney heading towards Simpa, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet, accompanied by three other men.
Discovery of the Missing Cash
After traveling for a while, Joseph got off the jeepney near a waiting shed close to a canteen. He soon realized that the cellophane containing the P152,000 was missing. Believing the money might have fallen out during the ride, Joseph confronted the three men who had been with him. All three denied seeing the cellophane with the cash.
A female passenger from the same jeepney later came forward with information. She reported seeing the three men handling a cellophane near the waiting shed, which she suspected held Joseph's money. Despite this lead, the cash has not been recovered.
Search for Evidence
Joseph and his wife went to Aries Store, which had CCTV cameras, to review the footage. However, they discovered that the relevant video from August 26 had been deleted.
In addition to this, Joseph's wife also spoke with two of the men involved in the incident. They denied any wrongdoing and provided various excuses. The couple is now focusing on identifying one of the three men who was last seen wearing a matching denim outfit. They believe this man may have crucial information about the missing cash. They are also checking CCTV footage from the jeepney terminal in Baguio City to gather more evidence.
Timeline of Events
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August 26, 2024, Early Afternoon: Joseph visits the Altigas residence in Simpa, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet, to sell gold and receives P152,000 in cash. The money is placed in a transparent cellophane bag.
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August 26, 2024, Mid-Afternoon: Joseph stops at a nearby store to buy bread. He then boards a jeepney with three other men, heading towards Simpa, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet.
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August 26, 2024, Late Afternoon: After traveling for some time, Joseph gets off the jeepney near a waiting shed and a canteen. He discovers that the cellophane with the cash is missing. He confronts the three men he traveled with, who deny seeing the money.
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August 26, 2024, Early Evening: A female passenger from the jeepney reports seeing the three men handling a cellophane near the waiting shed, which she believes contained Joseph's money.
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August 27, 2024: Joseph and his wife visit Aries Store to review CCTV footage. They find that the video from August 26 has been deleted. Joseph's wife also talks to two of the men involved, but they deny any wrongdoing.
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August 28, 2024: Joseph and his wife start focusing on one of the three men last seen wearing a matching denim outfit, who might have crucial information. They also begin checking CCTV footage from the jeepney terminal in Baguio City.
Seeking Justice
Cathylaine has reported the incident to the local barangay and is urging authorities to investigate thoroughly. There is a chance that the three men involved might be summoned to the Barangay Captain's office in Ampucao for questioning. The family remains hopeful that the truth will come to light and that those responsible will be held accountable.
The Impact of the Loss
The loss of P152,000 is a significant blow not only to Joseph and his family but also to his colleagues, who live day-to-day with limited financial resources. This amount represents a substantial portion of their hard-earned income, and its disappearance has created a financial strain on all involved. As Joseph and his wife continue their search for answers, the support of the community and local authorities will be crucial in resolving this matter and recovering the lost funds.
