Arrested woman faces more estafa cases

CEBU, Philippines - A woman accused of estafa was apprehended yesterday as she was leaving a hearing of another estafa case she is facing.

Gina Lou Cruz Ong, 26, of Seaview Heights Subdivision, Talisay City, was arrested after one of her victims, who requested anonymity, sought the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 to serve the warrant of arrest against her for estafa.

Ong, who just left a hearing of another estafa case filed against her at the sala of Mandaue City Regional Trial Court Branch 28 Judge Marilyn Yap yesterday morning, was arrested by SPO2 Willard Silibyo and SPO1 Arnold through an arrest warrant issued by Municipal Trial Court Branch 3 Assisting Judge Oscar Andrino issued last September 12.

The suspect, who was assisted by her legal counsel Jose Caringal, did not resist arrest and peacefully went with her arresting officers who brought her to the CIDG-7 headquarters where she faced her alleged victim.   

“Dugay na gyud ko nag huwat nga madakpan gyud siya,” her alleged victim said.

She said she knows around 20 others who were victimized by Ong in Cebu City and in Manila.

She further alleged that Ong first bought thousands worth of jewelry from her in 2008 just to gain her trust.

But after their first successful transaction Ong reportedly asked for P1 million worth of jewelry from the victim but failed to pay in full. Ong still owed the victim P800,000.

Another complaint who also requested anonymity claimed that Ong swindled P2.5 million worth of signature bags and jewelry from her. She was the one who filed the estafa case against Ong before the sala of Yap.

She said that she first met Ong during their college days where they had successful business transactions.

“Wala gyud ko nag-expect nga iya tong mabuhat kay maayo pa man kaayo siya before,” she said.   

Another alleged victim also told reporters she was very happy over Ong’s apprehension, adding that the suspect should pay for what she has done.

Caringal insisted his client is innocent and advised her from commenting on her case. 

Ong was able to post the P60,000 bail for her temporary liberty yesterday afternoon. – (FREEMAN)