Two travel agency personnel held after P1.8M check paid to hotel bounced

CEBU, Philippines - Two staff members of travel agency were detained yesterday after a P1.8-million check they issued for the payment of the hotel stay of several Laguna barangay captains on a “Lakbay-Aral” in Cebu bounced.

Garry Guismondo and Mary Ann Malihan were arrested by the hotel’s security personnel and turned over to Fuente police.

The travel agency promised to pay the amount on Monday but the hotel management is pressing estafa charges.

Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, Fuente Police Station chief, said the agency failed to pay for the food and services given by the hotel to 540 persons who were members of the Liga ng Barangay- Laguna Chapter.

The barangay officials are in Cebu on an educational tour and to attend a seminar.

But when they were about to leave the hotel after a three-day stay, they were not allowed to go since they have not made their payment yet.

Tiu told the hotel management to let the 540 barangay captains leave since they were not the ones who were at fault, adding that the hotel may end up violating the visitors’ liberty.

Tiu said that while a representative from the travel agency promised to pay the hotel the whole amount on Monday, its two representatives were detained for the time being.

He advised hotels to take precautions in transacting business with clients, especially if it involves a big amount of money.

He said he would conduct a background check on the agency, especially that it is based in Laguna.  (FREEMAN)