Woman who sold lot of another falls

CEBU, Philippines – A woman who allegedly pawned the property owned by another woman using a fake land title was placed under arrest by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group yesterday morning.

The CIDG arrested Nimfa Cañizares, 32, by virtue of a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Gilbert Moises.

Cañizares is a resident of barangay Cansojong, Talisay City but the arrest was made in Legaspi Street, near the Patria de Cebu.

The complainant, Constancia Labao, 70, of barangay Mambaling said she first met Cañizares through a certain Mary Ann Pipino a few years ago and Cañizares eventually became her house help. Labao said Cañizares appeared to be a good woman, thus, she trusted her.

Labao said it could be during Cañizares’ stay at her house when the suspect stole the land title of her 275-square-meter property in Banilad, Mandaue City and some jewelry costing P1 million she had placed inside an attaché case.

Labao said she later learned that Cañizares had pawned the property at Lambert Lending Company along V. Rama Avenue in barangay Guadalupe. The property reportedly costs P3 million but Cañizares allegedly pawned it for only P408,000. 

However, it was also found out that Cañizares pawned the property using fake documents, as confirmed by the Mandaue City Assessor’s Office. The suspect also allegedly forged Labao’s signature.

Cañizares denied the allegations. The court has recommended a P40,000 bail for her temporary liberty.

Labao said she will also file a case against Pipino and three other alleged accomplices. — Christopher Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)