Man nabbed for trying to flee with cellphone

The man who had gypped many mobile phone owners by using the name of Regional Trial Court branch 9 Judge Geraldine "Faith" Econg was finally arrested yesterday after taking the phone of a woman at the Palace of Justice.

Danilo Guinita, 38, of sitio Tugas in barangay Pardo, Cebu City was arrested by security guard Romeo Jamaybay and assistant building administrator Henry Espinosa while trying to flee with the cellphone of a certainVerna Gutang.

At least seven women had informed Palace of Justice guards about a man, whom they described as a homosexual, who pretended to be an employee of the court and that he was tasked by Judge Econg to hire their services.

Most of those victimized by Guinita were beauticians who claimed they were "hired" by Guinita to do the makeover of a would-be bride who was scheduled to get married at the sala of judge Econg.

He would convince his would-be victim to accompany him to the court. Then he would ask to be allowed to use the would-be victim's cellphone in order to contact the judge. But since there is no signal inside the Palace of Justice building, he would bring the cellphone outside of the building.

Gutang said Guinita went to her house yesterday accompanied by a certain Lineth and told her that she would be hired to train the lawyers to play volleyball. Since Gutang is a good volleyball player, she accepted the offer.

But after Guinita entered the Palace of Justice, the guards asked him of his purpose in going to the court.

"Nagduda na ko kay gisita man siya sa mga gwardya nga empleyado man kaha siya sa korte (I was already suspecting as he was stopped by the guards. He told me he was an employee of the court)," but still Gutang handed over her 1100 cellphone when Guinita borrowed it to "contact somebody."

Guinita left Gutang at the Public Attorney's Office, but he was seen by the guards and was chased. He was finally arrested before going up the second floor.

At the office of judge Econg, Gutang arrived and personally confronted Guinita who quickly took the cellphone out of his pocket and returned the electronic device to the woman.

One of Guinita's close relatives was reportedly happy when she learned that the suspect was arrested, describing him as "the perennial problem of the family."