Fiscals file estafa charges vs. engineer for allegedly defrauding police official

CEBU, Philippines – A civil engineer is facing charges before the Regional Trial Court for allegedly defrauding a police official.

The city prosecutor's office elevated to court estafa charges against Mc Rey Tigmo after he failed to answer the complaint filed against him by Police Supt. Jonas Ejoc. The police officer alleged Tigmo convinced him into shelling out P480,000 as partner in the respondent's construction business.

Prosecutor Naruzen Lorete recommended P40,000 for Tigmo's temporary liberty, as approved by city chief prosecutor Nicolas Sellon. 

Lorete said subpoena was sent to Tigmo for the latter to answer Ejoc's allegations, but it reportedly seemed that no one was around at Tigmo's residence in 1520 North Road, White Hills, Cebu City.

"Probable cause was established and the allegations in the complaint-affidavit were unrefuted," Lorete's resolution reads.

In a complaint-affidavit, Ejoc said he came to know Tigmo through his office secretary, PO2 Mary Jean Tigmo. Because of Tigmo "good gesture" towards him, they eventually became casual friends. 

"Tigmo confided to me his alleged long time dream of forming a construction business but failed to do so due to lack of finances. Without knowing, Tigmo allegedly persuaded me that he had no business related and wanted to start with business partnership of me, in fact Tigmo had a business already registered as Tigmo Business," Ejoc said.

He then reportedly agreed to give Tigmo P480,000, but no longer heard from the engineer again after turning over the money.

"The acts of Tigmo of befriending and enticing me to become his partner were part of his trick. As well as assuring to me that the business will be carrying our names and the gains and profits will be shared by us. The manifestation of his act of assuring me of registering our supposed business is only a part of his diabolical scheme of de-ceiving and defrauding me," Ejoc added. (FREEMAN)