CEBU, Philippines – A member of the notorious "budol-budol" gang was arrested outside an uptown mall in the city last Monday after she was recognized by one of her victims.
Criselda Basit, 22, a sales clerk at the mall, said she is positive that it was the suspect, Susan Tampus, 48, of Cambaro, Mandaue City, who allegedly tricked her and took her mobile phone and P200 cash last May.
Basit, a resident of Lilo-an town, narrated that she went to Barangay Pagsabungan in Mandaue City on May 9 to buy something when Tampus, who introduced herself as "Virgie" and a resident of Daan Bantayan, suddenly approached her.
"Nangutana siya nako asa daw dapit didto maka-abang ug sakyanan kay naa daw siya i-karga na nukos. Ingon ko, dili man sad ko taga-diri gud, Miss…Nya naa dayo'y miduol na ba-baye miingon na ka-tultol daw siya ug asa maka-abang," Basit said.
Saying she was somewhat "hypnotized," Basit went with Tampus and the other woman who identified herself as "Karen." They reportedly boarded a jeepney and went to Barangay Basak where Karen said Virgie could rent a vehicle for her merchandize.
"Pag-abot sa Basak, ingon 'tong Karen na kuyugon daw niya si Virgie ngadto sa opisina pero di daw pwede magdala ug kwarta didto. Ingon si Virgie nga di na lang daw ko mukuyog nila 'nya since wala daw siya'y salig atong Karen, iya daw ibilin nako ang iya P10,000….Nya para makasalig daw siya nako, ako lang sa ingadto niya akong cellphone ug P200," Basit said.
The victim was convinced and handed over the money and phone worth P3000 to Tampus. Tampus, in turn, handed her over the "money" placed inside a plastic bag, which was wrapped with a handkerchief.
"Then mibalik na'ko sa Pagsabungan, mingadto ko sa (RD) pawnshop. Ingon si Virgie nga adto lang daw ko maghuwat kay iya daw bana ang security guard didto. Pag-adto nako, ako gipangutana ang guard, iyang asawa kay tua ra man daw sa ila balay. Mao 'to gikulbaan na dayon ko'g taman hangtod sa minghilak na g'yud ko'g maayo," Basit said.
The victim said she discovered that the "money" she was holding were mere bundles of cut papers, which made her cry even more until she fainted.
At around 2:30 pm last Monday, she was sitting outside the mall before entering for duty when she noticed Tampus pass by her. With the mall's security guard, Basit went after her and asked her if she was the one who took her cellular phone to which the suspect denied.
Basit's suspicion arose when the woman ran away, but she was eventually accosted.
Tampus admitted the accusations and admitted further that she has been a member of the "budol-budol" gang for two years now.
She said her addiction to mahjong forced her to engage in the illegal activity, as she could not work reportedly because of a cyst on her left breast.
Another victim, Lanie Dumanjug, 27, of Barangay Lahug, also pointed to Tampus as the one who allegedly victimized her last May 14 when she was heading towards a mall.
She said Tampus and Karen divested her of mobile phone worth P20,000 and P500 cash using the same modus operandi.
A charge for estafa is now being prepared against the suspect. (FREEMAN)