MANILA — A man accused of breaking into the home of photojournalist Ezra Acayan and stealing his gadgets in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City, has been arrested.

CCTV footage caught the suspect on Friday stealing the victim’s high-end camera, satellite internet device, mini drone, and laptop. The stolen items have an estimated value of nearly P500,000.

Upon reviewing additional security camera footage, Acayan discovered that the suspect had been hiding in a room inside their house as early as 6 p.m.

“Nangilabot kami kasi parang ang aga niya, nandito lang pala siya. Ang daming chance na may pumasok dun sa kwarto. Syempre ‘pag nagkagulatan, hindi na natin alam kung anong puwedeng mangyari,” Acayan said. 

(It is chilling that he was already here so early in the evening. Someone could have walked into the room he was hiding in, and we don't know what could have happened next)

The suspect, who was immediately apprehended was found to have been sent to prison several times.

The police investigation also found that the suspect may have had an accomplice.

“So bale dalawa ang lumalabas sa imbestigasyon namin na pumasok. Ang nakuha lang ‘yung isang naghalughog ng bahay samantalang ‘yung isa naman, through eyewitness na-identify,” according to PCpt. Melvin Garcia, chief investigator of Parañaque Police.

(Based our investigation, two people broke into the house. The one who ransacked the house was caught on video while the other one was identified by an eyewitness)

He said that they found that the suspects have prior records.

“So menace na ito sa barangay natin (They are a menace in the barangay),” he added. 

Photojournalist Ezra Acayan during a coverage of a protest at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 2020, file. Jire Carreon, ABS-CBN News 

SUSPECT SAYS HE WAS AT HOME

The suspect denied the allegations against him and claimed that he was at home when the incident happened.

“Kasama ko ang asawa ko. ‘Yung asawa ko, binabantayan ko dahil buntis kaya hindi na ko lumalabas nung gabing pangyayaring ‘yun,” the suspect asserted. 

(I was with my wife. I was watching over her because she is pregnant, that's why I stayed at home the night it happened)

“Dati na ako nangulungan pero hindi na ko gumawa, nagbago na ako,” he added.

(I have been to prison but I have changed)

Acayan is hopeful that the items stolen from him will still be returned.

“Pangkabuhayan ko po ‘yan. The fact pa lang na ginagamit ko sa trabaho ko, dun pa lang mahalaga na siya. Lalo na po ‘yung laptop ko, nandun files ko,” Acayan, a mutli-awarded photojournalist, said. 

(That is for my livelihood. The fact that I use that for my work means they have value. Especially the laptop with my files)

The suspect is in the custody of the Parañaque police and was charged with robbery on Saturday.

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