Boarding house theft in Tabuk? Working student says he lost hard-earned cash to burglar ₱2,200 while asleep

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A 24-year-old working student lost ₱2,200 in hard-earned money after someone allegedly entered his boarding room while he and his brother were asleep in Dagupan West, Tabuk City on October 5.

The student, who requested anonymity, said the money was intended for his daily allowance and had been kept in a drawer inside their boarding room.

He said he and his brother had fallen asleep without realizing that they had failed to lock their door.

When he woke up, he noticed that the door was already open. He checked his belongings and found that his cellphone was still there, but the cash he had placed in the drawer was gone.

The student said they searched the room but could not find the money.

He also said the boarding house has no CCTV cameras that could help identify who may have entered the room.

The student said the loss was particularly difficult because the money came from his own work and was intended to support his daily needs while studying.

He recalled that he and his brother had been tired from work that night and simply forgot to check whether the door was locked before going to sleep.

Despite the incident, he said he was relieved that his cellphone and other belongings were still intact.

The experience prompted him to remind fellow students and boarders, particularly those who work to support themselves, to be more careful with their belongings and always secure their rooms.

“Saan koma a mapadasan dagiti dadduma ti napadasak. Bassit man wenno dakkel ti kwarta, napateg latta ta pinagtrabahuan tayo,” he said. (I hope others will not experience what happened to me. Whether the amount is small or large, it is still important because we worked for it.)

He urged boarders to make it a habit to check and lock their doors before sleeping and to keep cash and other valuables in secure places.

The student said the incident served as a reminder that even a brief lapse in securing a boarding room can result in the loss of hard-earned money.