DUBAI // Police are investigating a burglary at the Philippine consulate in Al Ghusais over the weekend. Benito Valeriano, the Philippine consul general in Dubai, said the burglary was discovered by his staff around 6.30am on Saturday. He declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the theft, citing the ongoing investigation. A source who is familiar with the case but declined to be identified said about Dh100,000 (US$27,000) in cash and cheques were stolen from a vault in the finance officer's office on the second floor of the building.
The source said at least three members of the consulate staff, including the finance officer, were questioned by the police. The source said the key to the vault and a piece of paper containing the combination lock number of the vault, which were kept in a cash box, were taken from the finance officer's table. The official's passport also was taken. The cash and cheques were paid by Filipino workers and expatriates in Dubai and the Northern Emirates for services such as passport renewals and issuing of affidavits and other certificates.
Another source said there were signs of forced entry into the office of the consul, Vicente Vivencio Bandillo, also on the second floor. "Nothing was stolen from my office," Mr Bandillo said. @Email:rruiz@thenational.ae
