Scam suspects yield to police

CEBU, Philippines - Police yesterday presented a couple allegedly involved in a multimillion scam in Quezon City and who surrendered last week to authorities in Cebu City. 

Danilo and Janet Gujilde, both 47 years old, were placed under arrest moments after they surrendered to police on December 6.

The couple surrendered after receiving death threats from their supposed victims, said Chief Insp. George Ylanan, head of the Regional Special Operations Group of the Police Regional Office 7 yesterday.

Ylanan said the couple has been facing large scale estafa charges in Quezon City and another estafa case in Maasin City in Southern Leyte.

Ylanan said the couple surrendered through the help of an operative of Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU).

When the couple arrived at RSOG’s office, Ylanan said they then arrested them based on a warrant of arrest for other estafa charges.

“Daghan na kaayo hulga sa among kinabuhi, mao nga ni-surrender mi,” said Janet.

She said the estafa case in Maasin City has nothing to do with the multi-million scam in Quezon City.

Ylanan said that they only presented the suspects yesterday since they conducted several follow-up operations related to the case.

According to Ylanan, based on the complaint filed in Quezon City court, the couple duped P400 million from their clients, who were mostly teachers.

The couple reportedly recruited the clients to invest in their school supply business with the promise that they could earn two percent every month.

The couple, in an interview, however vehemently denied the amount, saying that they were only able to receive P13 million from the victims.

Janet identified a certain Thelma Santos of Fairview, Quezon City as their mastermind. Police are now looking for Santos.

Janet said that they are also victims in the scam.

Janet said they gave all the money they received to Santos who promised to give them 20 percent every month.

Santos, Janet said, claimed to be a supplier of hotel and spa materials in Manila.

But according to Ylanan, Janet could not pass the liabilities to Santos since the couple was the one who had direct transaction with the victims.

Janet said they have no properties and cash deposits which would prove that they never pocketed the money.

“Bisan i-background check pa mi sa amo, wa jud mi properties,” said Janet.

Janet narrated that they met Santos in Fairview, Quezon City where Santos convinced them to put up a business that would increase their investment.

Janet said put up a school supply store and then started recruiting and convincing clients.

Most of her victims were teachers from Fairview, and the biggest investor lost capital that reached to P1.3 million, she said.

Janet said they decided to stay in Lahug for safety after receiving death threats from the victims who wanted their money back.

The couple learned that the victims, some are government employees, were asking the assistance of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel.

Ylanan said one of the victims, Hayde Estoque, a direct seller, invested some P3.6 million in the supposed business of the couple, who introduced herself to clients as a dealer of school supplies at Fairview Elementary School and a supplier of materials to a hotel in Cebu.

At first, Estoque, who initially invested P20,000, received five to 10 percent weekly interest from the couple until she increased the investment.

The victims started to seek legal assistance after they were no longer able to locate the couple. -/LPM (FREEMAN)