Burglars ransack hardware store in Ilocos Norte, take P40k

Burglars hit a hardware store in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, taking some P40,000 from the establishment's vault.

The incident was discovered Tuesday, when the store owner found the items in disarray - and a hole on the floor, GMA Ilocos reported Wednesday.

"Kahit barya yan, pinaghirapan din natin yan," said owner Anthony Chua.

An initial police investigation showed the burglars dug a tunnel leading to the hardware store.

Recovered from the scene were two bareta (drills) believed used to dig the tunnel.

"Nasa tatlong [tao] pataas ang gumagawa nito kasi Matagal itong gawin," said Laoag police head Superinetendent Jeffrey Gorospe. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News