Angeles City– The daughter of City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. fell victim to suspected members of a “basag-kotse” car theft gang while her sports utility vehicle was parked inside the Grand Palazzo Royale Golf Course at Barangay Cutcut on Wednesday.
Lawyer Rafaela Lazatin told investigators she parked her white Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV at the golf course past 2 p.m. and played golf with her friend for a couple of hours.
Lazatin said she was surprised when she returned to her car because the glass window was broken and all items inside the car, including high-end gadgets, were missing.
The mayor’s daughter sought the help of Grand Palazzo Royale security, hoping to get the perpetrator.
“The incident happened between 2 and 3 p.m. while the victim was busy playing golf,” said Police Lt. Colonel John Bernard Tacdoy, the chief of police of Porac town.
Porac police took over the case as the golf course falls under its jurisdiction. Only the entrance of the golf course is part of Angeles City, said Tacdoy over the phone.
Tacdoy said the golf course owner must be held liable over the security lapses.
Grand Palazzo Royale is an exclusive leisure estate, and only members and authorized persons are allowed to enter the premises. It is a properly fenced and well-guarded golf course near Clark Freeport, where most players are Koreans and other foreigners visiting Angeles and Clark.
Police Colonel Joyce Patrick Sangalang, director of the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), said investigators have been dispatched to help Porac police dig deeper.
Some of Sangalang’s men have reviewed the footage captured by security cameras on the golf course to help identify the suspects.
“We have already identified persons of interest to start with our investigation,” said Sangalang over the phone.
Businessman Ruperto Cruz, Grand Palazzo Royale owner, said he will temporarily close the Royal Garden Golf Course over the incident. He said only the driving range will remain open.
Cruz said he is more than willing to help the policemen in tracking down the suspect, who is believed to have sneaked into the golf course by other golfers.