Cop, car dealer charged with estafa

CEBU, Philippines – The owner and a dealer of motor vehicles whose display center is located at Sikatuna St., Cebu City are facing charges before the Regional Trial Court for defrauding a couple.

Alma Gonzales, owner of the display center and engaged in the business of selling vehicles, and SPO3 Jesus Cotelo, an agent of the company, are charged with estafa after they were sued by Maximo and Flordeluna Tayong.

In their complaint, the couple stated that sometime in first week of April 2008, they intended to buy a motor vehicle and Cotelo, who claimed to be an agent, assured them that he can provide them with a vehicle at a cheap prize.

A couple of weeks later, Cotelo introduced Maximo and Flordeluna to Gonzales, who showed them a white Mitsubishi Adventure.

According to the couple, Gonzales offered the Mitsubishi Adventure for P400,000.

Cotelo also explained to them that the said vehicle was not stolen. The couple added that Cotelo and Gonzales persuaded them to buy the vehicle and demanded P200, 000 as down payment. They were assured that they can get the documents of ownership upon full payment.

However, days after they fully paid the vehicle, Gonzales changed her mind and demanded that the couple return the vehicle.

The buyers were assured that they will get their money back, although less than 10 percent of the total amount.

The couple then returned the vehicle to Gonzales without being told why Gonzales wanted to take it back. While waiting for their money, Cotelo again persuaded the cou-ple to buy a Honda CRV at P500, 000 and again assured the couple that it was not stolen.

The couple believed Cotelo, their friend and neighbor.

But on August 2008, Cotelo went to the house of Maximo and Flordeluna and informed them that the Honda CRV they bought was stolen.

The couple stated that when they learned about this, they told Cotelo that they would return the vehicle but they should get their money back.

Cotelo allegedly advised them again to replace the vehicle two times but for the second time, the couple demanded from both Gonzales and Cotelo the new vehicle.

They were only told to wait for few days.

But they did not get a vehicle, or their money, so the couple decided to file the case. Cotelo, in his counter-affidavit, denied the accusation.

"I never participated nor has any knowledge of any transaction between the complainant and Alma Gonzales," he said.

Cotelo furthered said that the case is a form of harassment. He said the couple wanted to get back at him since he discovered that they are engaged in the buy and sell of vehicles with suspicious documents and believed to be carnapped.

Prosecutor Simaco L. Libata, however, included Cotelo in the crime of estafa despite his explanation that he has no knowledge and not connected with Gonzales.

Libata said the evidence and statements of the couple were enough bases to indict Gonzales and Cotelo for the crime. (FREEMAN)