Court indicts 8 Sinulog“thieves’ from Luzon

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted eight alleged thieves from Metro Manila who worked together to steal wallets and cellular phones during Sinulog Festival.

Prosecutor Russell Busico held Arvin Jan Ballesteros, 22; Renz Lester Boncalan, 26; Cindy Mercado; Carla Mendoza, 23; May Vilasco, 25; Adrian Lopez, 34;  Cris Fernandez, 23; Charizze Adriano, 24; and Guillermo Diaz, 33 for trial for two counts of theft.

In an inquest proceeding, the eight chose not to file their respective counter-affidavit to answer the allegations filed against them. Instead, they manifested to face the charges in court.

Busico recommended P24,000 bail for each count.

The group were arrested after one of their members, Diaz, was caught by one of his victims, in the act of taking her P33,000 worth cellphone from her bag. The victim arrested Diaz through citizen’s arrest.

Diaz was brought to the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office and later led the police to his cohorts, who were gathered in two rooms in an inn along the North Reclamation Area.

The group’s leader was able to evade arrest.

Another victim of the group, Wilbur Jerboso, 43, a resident of Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City, alleged that while he and his family were at Juana Osmeña Street, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Cebu City, around 6:30 p.m. during the Sinulog, a group of persons approached and surrounded them.

After which, Jerboso noticed that his wallet was already missing.

Since he was carrying his four-year-old son, he could not hold any longer the lady later identified as Vilasco, who had his wallet containing P26,000.

Jerboso alleged that the lady’s cohorts came to rescue her, prompting him to release Vilasco. — Mylen P. Manto/ATO (FREEMAN)