CIDG arrests woman with CVAC assistance

A non-government organization, tapped by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern Field Office (CIDG-NFO) to boost its crime fighting capability, led authorities in the arrest of an accused big-time swindler last Saturday in Malabon City.

Superintendent Gene Ines Abrajano, CIDG-NFO chief, said the Civilian Volunteers Against Crime (CVAC) was instrumental in the apprehension of Angelita Moreno of Paradise Village, Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon.

Moreno, 47, was long wanted by the authorities for alleged large-scale fraud. She is facing nine counts of swindling cases in different courts in Malabon and has four warrants for her arrest, one without bail.

CIDG agents led by Senior Inspector Lito Palaruan and SPO2 Jaime Acido, and CVAC members headed by Oscar Saberecio, swooped down on Moreno’s residence at around 9 a.m. Saturday after the civilian anti-crime group was informed of the suspect’s presence.

Interviewed in her cell, Moreno denied being involved in any fraudulent activity. "I don’t know why I’ve got so many cases, but I think I would better answer them in the proper forum," Moreno told The STAR.

The undermanned CIDG-NFO, to augment its crime fighting ability, signed a memorandum of agreement over the weekend with CVAC led by its president, Toriano Galingan.

"This is to bolster our crime fighting effort and at the same time our way of bringing the CIDG closer to the community," Abrajano said.

Abrajano has only nine operatives but covers the whole of Caloocan, Malabon and Valenzuela cities and also Navotas.

"With very few men in a large jurisdiction, I need to look for other means to enhance our capability," Abrajano added," CVAC, as a force "multiplier," has the full backing of Chief Superintendent Nestorio Gualberto, CIDG commander and Superintendent Ricardo Dapat, head of CIDG Metro Manila. –Pete Laude