Bank loses P75,000 to "mayor's daughter"

CEBU, Philippines – A bank based in Bogo lost P75,000 to a woman who introduced herself as daughter of Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., Thursday afternoon.

The "swindler" allegedly called the Development Bank of the Philippines and introduced herself as a certain "Dr. Martinez," daughter of the mayor.

The suspect asked the branch head, Juanita Mata, 58, for a favor to convert her P75,000 which was allegedly in P1,000 denominations into P500 bills.

"Dr. Martinez" alleged her clinic was just a few meters away from the bank and she badly needed the money.

Mata then called the account section-in-charge, Christopher Gutierrez, who prepared and delivered the cash to the suspect's clinic.

But while approaching the clinic that was described by the suspect, a man, who claimed to be the son of "Dr. Martinez" approached Gutierrez and told him that his mother is waiting at the Prince Warehouse Club at Barangay Gairan.

They then proceed to the place on board a vehicle allegedly owned by the suspect.

"Ingon man ning suspect nga iyang mommy nagpaabot kuno sa Prince Warehouse," PO3 Ramonito Canja said.

When Gutierrez handed the cash to the man, the latter allegedly told him to wait but he did not come back.

Canja said they verified with Mayor Martinez if he is indeed related to the suspects but he denied having a child who is a physician by profession.

Bogo Police chief, Insp. Alvin Balio told The FREEMAN that he already requested Gutierrez to go to the crime laboratory for a cartographic sketch of the suspects.

"Karon pa gyud ni nahitabo so far, ako na ipa-alert ang ubang banko to avoid the same case," he said. (FREEMAN)