Meat suppliers charged with syndicated estafa

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Justice has indicted the officers and agents of a food trading company for alleged syndicated estafa.

Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco has ordered the filing of the criminal complaint before the court against spouses Ivanhoe and Ruby Enoria; Dexter and Nadel Llamas; and Jennifer Lisondra  for violation of Article 315 (2) (a) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Presidential Decree 1689.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Luisito Clavano, resident of Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City. Clavano claimed to have invested P17.7 million for the food trading business of the accused.

Clavano said he was enticed by Dexter to invest in meat distribution. He was allegedly reluctant at first but the accused was persistent in his offer, prompting him to oblige. He was issued postdated checks as security of his investment. However, the checks were allegedly dishonored by the bank for insufficiency of funds.

Clavano said he made several demands to return his investment but the accused failed, prompting him to file a complaint before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

The complaint was initially dismissed on April 17, 2017 for lack of merit but Clavano appealed the resolution before the DOJ in Manila.

"A thorough evaluation of complaint-affidavit Clavano's submissions in his appeal correlated with his complaint-affidavit and other pieces of evidence vis-a-vis the counter-allegations of respondent-appellees would reveal that probable cause exists against the latter for syndicated estafa," the DOJ ruled.

"The existence of deceit, false pretense and fraud is clearly apparent in this case, particularly as to the fact that respondent-appellees Dexter conveyed to complainant-appellant Clavano about their lucrative meat distribution business together with the four other respondents," it added.

No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused. (FREEMAN)