What would have been a more elaborate fiesta celebration was imperiled when cash amounting to P100,000 was lost in a dawn hold-up in Cortes town. The victim was identified as one Ana Mae Lampa, 29, married and a native of Barangay Malayo Sur, Cortes town. Lampa is a treasurer of the informal cooperative known as “hug-hug” traditionally operated for the purpose of pooling money to be divided appropriately in time for the fiesta celebration. The informal cooperative functions primarily as a lending institution for members, immediate relatives and friends guaranteed by members.

Cash contributions pooled from among the participating individuals serve as the seed money for the informal cooperative whose lifespan is usually a year-long between the two fiesta celebrations. Just before the approaching fiesta, the members divide the dividends proportionate to their investments. The money lost in the hold-up would have been divided last Jan. 2 in time for the fiesta celebration on Jan. 16.

The suspects however had other plans and decided to lay claim on the loot that was being anticipated by the members. Lampa said that about 3 am last Jan. 2, she heard the voice similar to that of sibling of her brother calling out to her. When she opened the door however, one of the suspects immediately held her by the neck while brandishing an axe. The suspect immediately demanded that she produce the cash that was intended to be divided by the group that day.

Lampa said her husband was unable to do anything because he was hit by an axe by one of the suspect who was wearing a bonnet. Elements of the Cortes PNP have conducted follow-up operations to solve the crime. Police investigators are not discounting the possibility that the caper was an inside job. It was gathered that some members of the cooperative have expressed reservations due to alleged inconsistencies in the narrative of events.