Resort guest says masseuse stole jewelry

CEBU, Philippines - A local tourist lost at least P1 million worth of valuables to a woman who introduced herself as a service masseuse at the Malapascua Legend Resort in Barangay Cogon, Daanbantayan last Wednesday. 

SPO1 Mamerto Gastardo of the Daanbantayan police said Mylen Susana Borromeo, a resident of Banilad, Cebu City was with her husband at the resort when the suspect, Edna Rivera, 30, approached her around 7pm and asked if she wanted a body massage.

Borromeo accepted the offer and availed of Rivera’s services at the cottage she and her husband were renting. She reportedly left her jewelry at the bathroom before she got the massage at the bedroom.

The next morning, Borromeo found out that the jewelry she has left at the bathroom were missing. The missing items included two ancestral rings with diamonds worth P880,000 and a Rolex watch worth P320,000.

Gastardo said it is possible that Rivera saw a chance to sneak into the bathroom before leaving that night.

Rivera was arrested at her house during follow-up investigation but police failed to recover the missing jewelry. Instead, they arrested Rivera for possession of drug paraphernalia. Police confiscated aluminum foils and a disposable lighter from her. 

“Cooperative man siya pag-check namo sa iyang bag ug didto among nakit-an ang paraphernalia,” Gastardo said.

Gastardo said Rivera is a native from Manila and has been staying at the barangay for two years now. — (FREEMAN)