5 arrested after theft inside Senate compound

MANILA, Philippines — Pasay police arrested live-in partners accused of stealing equipment from a media outlet inside the Senate compound and took three other people into custody during the operation.

Police also recovered some of the stolen equipment, including a television and printer, along with gambling money and two plastic sachets containing around 0.70 grams of suspected shabu.

The three other people arrested included the father of one of the primary suspects, who faces an allegation of obstruction of justice.

Two others were allegedly caught playing cara y cruz with the couple and were arrested over alleged illegal gambling and drug violations.

All five suspects remain in the custody of the Pasay City Police.

Fence cut to enter compound. Police began investigating the theft on July 30 after equipment and office supplies were taken from a media tent near the Senate's material recovery facility.

The earlier report identified the affected outlet as state-run IBC.

Investigators said the couple allegedly used a saw to cut through the rear steel fence of the Senate complex before taking a television set, two printers, two folding tables, an extension cable, three pocket WiFi devices, a stool and office supplies.

Police previously identified the suspects only by the aliases "Itik" and "Beverly."

Three IBC personnel discovered the theft and reported it to the Senate security office shortly after 5 a.m. — Based on reports from The STAR / EJ Macababbad