There is a possibility that the robberies of town halls in Balilihan, Anda, Panglao and Loboc may have been perpetrated by a single group, said the top official of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO).

BPPO director Sr. Supt. Felipe Natividad during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting on Tuesday announced the assessment as he pointed out similarities in the timing of the series of break-ins.

Natividad said that the robberies of the town halls took place on or near the last Monday and Sunday of the month.

During the period, particularly first quarter of the year, local government units are also able to collect large amounts from payments of permits and licenses, added Natividad.

However, the BPPO chief noted that investigations are still being conducted to verify the assessment.

The most recent of the four town hall robberies took place in Loboc and Panglao on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

The burglars were reportedly able to steal P68,000 from the Panglao treasury and P5,000 from the Loboc mayor’s office.

On Januray 23, the Anda treasurer’s office allegedly lost P300,000 in a burglary which reportedly took place at 2 a.m. while P97,000 was stolen from its Balilihan counterpart at around 4 a.m.

The series of burglaries has prompted Natividad to urge LGUs to inform municipal police stations in instances wherein collection money are not deposited and left in offices.

This would allow policemen to take precautionary measures in securing the money, he said.

Natividad also suggested that LGUs install closed-circuit television cameras to deter burglars from breaking into their offices and to hasten the identification of suspects if they still commit the crime. (Rey Tutas)