2 nabbed for duping Laguna lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested two people in an entrapment operation Monday night for allegedly swindling Laguna Rep. Danilo Fernandez of P10,000.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele identified the two suspects as Nino Barsaga, 30; and Ria de Belen, 42.

Mantele said the suspects also admitted soliciting funds from Senators Manuel Villar Jr., Benigno Aquino III and Francis Escudero; and Reps. Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan City and Raul del Mar of Cebu.

According to Fernandez, Barsaga called him on his cell phone sometime in July and identified himself as columnist and television host Ramon Tulfo. Barsaga allegedly requested for financial assistance for a dead friend in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City, for which Fernandez gave P5,000.

Last week, Barsaga called Fernandez again. The lawmaker said Barsaga dropped hints that he was not Tulfo, prompting the lawmaker to contact the columnist’s younger brother, Erwin.

When the suspect called up again last Monday, he asked for money for a medical mission in Bicol. Unknown to Barsaga, Fernandez sought the assistance of Mantele after Erwin confirmed the suspect was impersonating his elder brother.

De Belen picked up the money from a hotel in Quezon City, and Barsaga was collared after receiving the marked money from De Belen. Barsaga yielded a “blue book” containing the names of politicians he has allegedly victimized.

Mantele ordered the filing of estafa charges against Barsaga and De Belen before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office.