Fourteen college students filed large-scale estafa charges against a self-defense instructor who allegedly duped them into entrusting him with their tuition money so he can get them scholarship grants.
Jesus de Jesus, 44, teaches the students taekwondo at his private gym in Marikina City.
Sta. Mesa police station chief Superintendent Jimmy Tiu told The STAR that, “through sweet talk, De Jesus was able to convince his victims to pay their tuition with his issued checks while keeping the cash equivalent to himself.” De Jesus also told his victims that checks should be paid to schools they will enroll in for easy refund in case their scholarships are approved, Tiu added.
However, the victims learned later that the checks they paid their respective schools all bounced.
One of the victims spotted De Jesus yesterday at the Arellano University campus in Legarda, Manila and immediately sought the assistance of the school’s security guards.
At the police station, more victims surfaced and identified De Jesus as the same person whom they entrusted their tuition money.
“He destroyed our lives. How can we continue our studies when our tuition fees are all gone? Our parents shed blood and sweat just to produce the amount for our tuition,” were some of the comments of the students.
De Jesus chose to remain quiet, saying his lawyer will do the talking for him. He is facing charges of large-scale estafa and child abuse since four of the complainants are minors.
Tiu said he received information that the suspect has a standing warrant for another case of estafa. He also called on other victims to surface and file additional charges against him. — Nestor Etolle