Man sued for swindling

CEBU, Philippines - Finding probable cause, the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office indicted a 24-year old man for swindling.

State prosecutor Jerome Abarca elevated the case to the court after Naser Fuentes, a resident of Lower Fatima, barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City waived his right to undergo preliminary investigation.

He recommended P20,000 bail for respondent’s temporary liberty.

In her affidavit, Emma Martinez, 30, a resident of Liloan, said sometime in July 2012, the respondent approached her and asked if she can be a sponsor of the upcoming activity of the Consolacion National High School Alumni Association.

She said the respondent then showed him a letter with signature of the school principal. Since the purpose of solicitation was for the alumni, she said she gave P5,000.

However, she said when she verified the matter with the school principal, the latter denied that they solicited money for the upcoming activity. The principal also said the signature above her name was not hers.

With that, Martinez said she then asked the assistance of Consolacion Police Station whose officers arrested the respondent.

PO1 Julius Palac said their station acted on the complaint of Martinez and conducted an entrapment operation that led to the arrest.

In an interview, respondent challenged the complainant to show evidence.

“Let my legal counsel speak about the case but on my end, I am challenging them to show their evidence in court because I do believe that there is justice in our country,” he said. JPM (FREEMAN)