Chef Tatung decries alleged police inaction over P4-M robbery at Baras rest house

Content creator and chef Tatung Sarthou expressed frustration over what he described as police inaction following a robbery at his rest house in Baras, Rizal, which resulted in an estimated P4 million worth of stolen items and property damage.

In a "24 Oras" Weekend report by Darlene Cay on Sunday, footage provided by Sarthou’s staff showed the rest house in disarray, with broken items and belongings scattered across the floor.

Sarthou said the incident occurred on September 25, 2026, while no one was at the property. Neighbors reportedly heard the sound of breaking glass.

“Noong umaga, pinuntahan na kaagad ng tao ko. ‘Yon nga, nagsimula na magnakaw. So immediately, ‘di ba nanakawan ka, magre-report ka,” Sarthou said.

(In the morning, my staff went there immediately. Sure enough, a burglary had taken place. Naturally, when you get robbed, you report it.)

He said he reported the incident to two police stations but allegedly received no assistance and was passed from one station to another.

Sarthou added that barangay officials managed to apprehend a suspect, who was eventually released because of what he described as the police’s failure to take appropriate action.

“‘Yung area kasi namin hindi siya clear kung Antipolo or Baras. Nag-report kami sa dalawang station, Baras and Antipolo, pero walang action. Humingi ng SPA, humingi ng titulo,” the chef said.

(Our area is not clearly defined as falling under either Antipolo or Baras. We reported the incident to two stations—Baras and Antipolo—but there was no action. They asked for a special power of attorney and property titles.)

“Ano ba ‘to? ‘Pag gobyerno may kailangan sa atin, ‘di ba, gumagawa tayo ng paraan, ‘di ba? Pero ‘pag ganiyan humihingi tayo ng tulong, helpless. Helpless kami,” he added.

(What is this? When the government needs something from us, we find ways to comply, right? But when we are the ones asking for help, we feel helpless. We are helpless.)

For its part, the Baras Municipal Police Station (MPS) said its personnel immediately responded to the scene but later determined that the property was within the jurisdiction of Barangay San Jose in Antipolo City.

“An initial inquiry was conducted, and the complainant was guided on the proper procedures for documenting the incident and identifying the items allegedly lost or taken," the Baras MPS said in a statement.

"Subsequent information and property documents presented by the complainant indicated that the location of the reported incident fell within the territorial jurisdiction of Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City,” it added.

It said that its personnel explained to Sarthou that the incident needed to be reported to the Antipolo police.

Baras MPS chief P/Maj. Baby Estrella and Antipolo police chief P/Lt. Col. Mark Henry Garcia declined to be interviewed at the time of the report. However, both said the police officers involved had been temporarily relieved from their posts pending an investigation into the incident.

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) also said it was investigating the incident.

“Nakakapagtaka talaga eh. Hindi ito ang SOP ng pulis natin,” NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Atty. Ralph Calinisan said.

(It is truly baffling. This is not the standard operating procedure of our police.)

“Sabihin na natin na mayroong mas nakararapat na opisina na humawak ng usapin na ‘yon, ano ba naman yung tulungan mo siya at dalhin sa tamang police office habang sinusubukang asistehan,” he added.

(Even assuming there is a more appropriate office to handle the case, what would it cost them to help him and direct him to the proper police station while assisting him?)

GMA News footage from Cay’s report showed several police officers at Sarthou’s rest house conducting follow-up operations.

Sarthou said that while he understood the jurisdictional issue, he had hoped the police would have shown empathy and coordinated with one another instead of passing him from one station to another. — MCG, GMA News

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