A couple filed charges for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law against two members of the staff of the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center and its president yesterday.

The charges were filed against Ryeo Venn Abellanida, 30, bill section head, Edgar Magbanua, 58, head of security, and hospital president Hector Gayares Jr.

Gayares refused to comment on the matter when contacted by the DAILY STAR yesterday.

Rustico and Veverly Biñas said their daughter, Xylia Cayambare, was admitted to the BAMC on October 16, and at about 1 a.m. the following day, someone entered their private room and took a computer tablet with case valued at P16,440, a cellular phone valued at P7,990, wallet with P1,000 in cash, and other personal belongings.

The couple’s counsel, Rayfrando Diaz, said the Biñases left the hospital and did not pay the bill because they are asking for damages for the loss of their belongings.

The management of BAMC called and informed them to come to the hospital to discuss their lost items on Wednesday, and they did the following day.

While waiting at the security office, the couple was told by Magbanua that some of the items stolen from them are at the billing section.

However, they were told that the items will not be released to them unless they settle their hospital bills of P7,000, prompting the Biñases to ask for a search warrant from the court, Diaz said.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Manuel Cardinal, a team led by Station 6 deputy chief, Insp. Charles Gever went to BAMC to retrieve the items owned by the Biñases, he said.

Diaz added that when they arrived at the hospital, Magbanua told them that the items are still at the billing section and being kept by Abellanida.

After the recovery of the items, Magbanua and Abellanida were taken into police custody, but were released after paying P24,000 as bail yesterday afternoon.*APN

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