Another biz owner to file estafa case

CEBU, Philippines - The girl who has been tagged in a number of shoplifting cases will face multiple counts of estafa after another business owner plans to file the same case against her at the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office today.

 The girl, who claims to be a minor, was reported again yesterday for not paying for her stay at a resort in Asturias, Cebu.

An earlier report said an owner of a salon in Cebu City complained that the girl failed to pay the services she availed last week.

The girl was previously accused of shoplifting items worth P10,000 in a mall in Mandaue City. She also allegedly failed to pay P9,000 she owed to two women before they entered a disco club.

 Asturias Police Station chief, Police Inspector Philip John Libres, said that the manager of Cabo San Miguel Resort in Barangay Uwak, Asturias reported to the police that around 12 p.m. yesterday, She did not pay for the three-day accommodation at the resort that already amounted to P15,000. The girl arrived at the resort Monday afternoon.

 Libres said the management of the resort and the girl agreed that if the payment would be settled by 3 p.m. yesterday, no charges will be filed against her.

However, no payment was made since the parents of the girl, who she said would pay for her, did not arrive. She was then brought to the police station yesterday.

Libres cited that the resort has a policy that all clients will have to pay in advance before checking in but the girl allegedly promised to pay.

 “Wa siya kabayad daan pero magsige lang siya og saad nga mobayad lage siya hangtod naabot na og P15,000,” he said.

The girl has been claiming that she is still 16-years-old and added that she was the only one staying at the resort.

 Libres said that the management of the resort will pursue an estafa case against her today.

 She was already in custody of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk of the Asturias Police Station. She was previously turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development office but was transferred back to the police station since the former did not have a holding center.

 Vernel Christy Sigvathsen, owner of Nails and Cocktails Salon located at Raintree Mall, in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, filed an estafa case against the girl  at the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office at 3 p.m. yesterday.

She reportedly failed to pay P2,680 worth of salon services she availed,  including hair color, hair highlights, eyelash extension, manicure and pedicure.

  Meanwhile, Fuente Police Station chief Wildemar Tiu said that they will recheck the records of the girl to determine her age.

 If proven that she is a minor, Tiu said they will file a complaint against the parents of the girl for violation of Republic Act 7610.

 Tiu said that they have coordinated with Senior Inspector Mercy Villaro, chief of the Women’s Section of the Mandaue City Police Office, and found that she is a minor based on its records.

“However, according to the salon owner, she was told she is already 19. Seeing her pictures and profile sa Facebook, dili pud ta maka-assure na minor siya so we still have to check her documents to prove that she is,” he said.

 Tiu said that the girl claimed she is from Southern Leyte and she does not have any address in Cebu City or Mandaue City.

 He said that they encourage the girl’s parents to show them supporting documents that will prove her real age.

 “Kay sa pagkakaron daghang mo-claim na minor sila to exempt themselves from criminal liability and not to hold them accountable with their doings. We really had to be sure nga tinud-anay nga minor gyud siya,” he said.  (FREEMAN)