CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – A teller of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) Calamba Poblacion Branch is now facing charges of theft, qualified theft and forgery for unauthorized withdrawals amounting to PHP42,000 from the account of a 71-year old Social Security System (SSS) pensioner.
Superintendent Sancho Celedio, officer-in-charge of Calamba City Police Station (CCPS), identified the suspect as Sheila L. Varona, a new accounts clerk of said bank.
Celedio said account holder Salvador Gayos Aromin, resident of Barangay Looc in this city, complained that Varona withdrew his pension without his authority in three separate occasions dated August 31, October 3 and October 20, this year for a total of PHP42,000 as reflected in his account summary.
Upon verification by bank manager Rey Unciano, the withdrawals were made and released over the counter but in each withdrawal, the signature was found to be different compared with those in the specimen card.
Further verification revealed that the suspect has approved the withdrawals. The crime was discovered only on Dec. 15. Zen Trinidad/PNA-northboundasia.com