Burglary scare in Tabuk: Boarder grabs intruder’s bamboo-handled pliers, suspect flees

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A boarder in Dagupan West woke up to a frightening sight when he noticed an improvised reaching tool being used to access his room in the early hours of November 10, prompting a suspected intruder to flee after he pulled the device toward himself.

The incident happened at around 1:30 a.m. along Roxas Street, just hours after the boarder arrived at his lodging at around 8 p.m. the previous night and went to sleep.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, the boarder said he was awakened by an unusual sound. Although he initially struggled to open his eyes, he eventually noticed a pair of pliers attached to two long, slender, bamboo-like sticks.

Black tape was wrapped around the sticks to secure the pliers, forming an improvised long-handled tool that could be used to reach or pull objects from a distance.

When he pulled the device toward himself, the person outside immediately ran away.

“Nagawid nak di rabii (November 9) mga 8:00 p.m. tapos na turog nakon ta naka inom nak. Kaso, mga 1:30 a.m., madlaw ko kin da mang mangeg ko ket di pag mulagat ko ket nakitak dyay pliers nga adda bulo na su ginuyod ko ket timmaray didjayy tao met,” he said.

He said he could not clearly see the person because the area beside the neighboring house was dark.

“Dita banda abay balay, hanko nakita dyay tao ta timmaray, tapos awan silaw idyay nga banda,” he added.

The boarder did not report losing any belongings and believed he had awakened before the person could take anything from his room.

Following the incident, he advised fellow boarders and residents to keep their windows closed when sleeping or leaving their rooms and to ensure that their homes are secured.

The incident adds to growing concerns over reported thefts and break-ins in Tabuk City, including cases that residents say are not always reported to authorities.

On October 22, a family in Barangay Lacnog discovered that their house had been ransacked, with money intended for an overseas Filipino worker’s return to Dubai missing.

Guru Press Cordillera reported the incident on October 23.

Earlier, on October 5, a 24-year-old working student in Dagupan West reportedly lost ₱2,200 after someone entered his boarding room while he and his brother were asleep. The incident was reported by Guru Press Cordillera on October 9.

Amid these incidents, City Councilor Atty. Errol B. Comafay Jr. sought a legislative inquiry into reported theft and break-in cases. On October 15, he sought to invite the Tabuk City chief of police to a Sangguniang Panlungsod session to discuss police responses and possible measures to address the incidents.