Woman runs away with P1.2-M diamond, files raps vs cops for arresting her

A Pasig City businesswoman accused of running away with a diamond worth P1.2 million filed harassment charges yesterday against four Eastern Police District (EPD) policemen and two civilians who tried to arrest her.

Racquel Calara, 34, charged before the  Pasig City prosecutor’s office Senior Police Officers 1 Geminer Tingne, Ronaldo Rioja, and Larry Punzalan and PO1 Niel Poligon and civilians Danilo Ayap and Priscila Cabunoc, 50.

Calara, the president of the Pacific International Insurance, said the police officers harassed her when they arrived at her office at the Philippine Stock Exchange Center at around 6 p.m. Wednesday.

However, Calara eluded arrest by locking herself in her office.

Tingne said they went to Calara’s office to arrest her based on the complaint filed by Cabunoc before the EPD’s District Investigation and Detective Management Division (DIDMD).

Tingne said Cabunoc, who is also a businesswoman, accused Calara of running away with the diamond. The gem’s owner, Joselito Ruedas, asked Cabunoc to find a buyer for it.

In her complaint, Cabunoc said she brought the diamond to Calara’s office on Feb. 19 at around 4:30 p.m. Ayap, Ruedas’ nephew, accompanied her.

Cabunoc said Calara told them to wait in her office’s receiving area while waiting for the prospective buyer of the diamond, a certain Jeff. When Jeff arrived, Cabunoc was ushered into Calara’s office by the suspect’s husband, Romy, who told her that Jeff did not like to purchase the diamond.

Cabunoc said she was then escorted out of the office. A few minutes later, Calara went out, telling her that she will fetch another buyer from the ground floor of the building. Calara never came back, and Cabunoc said it was the last time she saw the suspect and the diamond.

Tingne said they will file estafa charges against Calara before the Pasig City prosecutors’ office.   – Non Alquitran