Palayan City, Nueva Ecija — The Palayan City Police Station (CPS) has arrested four individuals for allegedly trying to steal a cow in Barangay Aulo of this city Monday.

According to a report by the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, the Palayan CPS received a report of an ongoing cattle theft from barangay chairman Gerry Andasan around 6:10 a.m. at his area.

NEPPO Provincial Director Police Col. Ferdinand Germino said that the responding officers quickly arrived on the scene and discovered the four suspects in the act of stealing a large cow.

“Upon further investigation, the suspects were unable to present any documents or proof of ownership for the animal they had taken,” he added.

Aside from the large cow, two sharp weapons were confiscated from the suspects during the apprehension. The four suspects were identified as a 37-year-old male from Barangay Mabini Homesite, a 31-year-old male from Barangay DS Garcia, a 29-year-old male from Center Ville, Barangay DS Garcia, and a 16-year-old minor, identified only by an alias, also a resident of Center Ville, Barangay DS Garcia, all of Cabanatuan City.

Based on the ongoing investigation, the suspects may be connected to previous series of cattle rustling incidents in the city, as their cellular phones showed records of previous transactions and deals involving cow and carabao meats.

The suspects will face charges under PD 533 (Anti-Cattle Rustling) and BP 6 (Illegal Possession of Bladed Weapon). If proven guilty, they may spend their lives in prison.

Director Germino said, “Just imagine the greediness of these offenders. A carabao or cow is the livelihood of these farmers and victims. If they take it from them, they have also taken their lives. I have instructed the COP of Palayan City PS to further investigate the matter and ensure that these offenders will spend their lives in prison.”