Cops probe suspect’s disappearance

Four Mandaluyong City policemen are being investigated for the mysterious disappearance Sunday of a big-time swindler whom they had arrested for gypping 11 jobseekers of close to P1 million in fees.

Superintendent Jose Gentiles, Mandaluyong City police chief, ruled out "monetary considerations" behind the escape of Perlita Grace del Mundo Tintiano but he vowed to punish the four policemen for negligence.

They are SPO1 Emmanuel Molina and PO1’s Cesario Gabon, Ladgene Pelos and Marion Climacosa, all assigned at the follow-up unit.

The four policemen arrested Tintiano in her house at 25 Magsaysay St., Sta. Cruz, Novaliches, Quezon City, at 1 p.m. Sunday after a swindling complaint filed by Pioret Cariño and 10 other US visa applicants.

The complainants told Gentiles, they paid Tintiano sums ranging from P100,000 to P150,000 to obtain their travel documents but she failed to produce them in two weeks time as promised.

They handed over their money at the house of a certain Joan Formelosa on 17 Harapin ang Bukas, Mandaluyong, last Dec. 14.

Gentiles said the victims tried to get their money back but Tintiano went into hiding until they were able to trace her to Novaliches.

While the police were busy attending to Tintiano and her complainants Sunday night, the suspect escaped, using the back door.

Tintiano’s escape was believed facilitated by one of her visitors, whose picture was taken by media photographers.

Police said Tintiano contacted a number of her victims yesterday, promising to turn herself in on Wednesday to face the accusations against her.

But Gentiles suspected that the supposed surrender was only Tintiano’s ploy to give herself enough time to escape to the provinces. – Non Alquitran