Victims of P100-M land scam seek justice

The alleged victims of a P100-million land scam appealed yesterday for law enforcement agencies to intensify the manhunt for the brains of the group.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judges Alexander Balut, Ma. Theresa dela Torre-Yadao, and Leah Domingo-Regala issued warrants of arrest against Delia Belita and her daughters, Cheryl and Genevieve for syndicated estafa, a non-bailable offense.

The elder Belita has a P200,000 reward for her capture, while her daughters have P100,000 each.

Others named charge sheet are Salvador Ilarde Jr., Maria Cheryl Dava, Braulio Ledesma Jr., Florence Belita-Olsen, Kathy Germentil, Rosita Estuart, Elsa Rafanan, Erlinda Gaerlan, Perla Fernandez, Delben “Noy” Belita and Joseph Avacilla.

Complainants Antonio Sy, Roberto Caronan, Wilfredo Ciriaco, Norma Wong, Sonia Benero, Maria Pineda, and Cristina Caramol alleged that the respondents operated like the “Italian Mafia,” representing themselves as agents of several landowners in Metro Manila and Zambales.

The complainants said they gave the respondents substantial amounts of money but failed to transfer titles of the properties to the complainants.

Last week, the complainants appealed to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales to “remain neutral and impartial” in the wake of reports that certain influential persons have been lobbying to reverse the findings of Department of Justice (DOJ), calling for the filing of syndicated estafa charges against Belita and her co-respondents.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, representing the complainants, said they have become “apprehensive after the… lawyer of the accused was already bragging in court that the cases would be dismissed since a relative of Belita has already talked to certain high-ranking official of the DOJ, who has pledged to grant the petition for review of the accused by reversing the charge of syndicated estafa.”  – Perseus Echeminada