ALTAVAS, Aklan – Three swindling suspects were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 24.
Cops intercepted their Hyundai Accent vehicle at around 12:15 p.m. at a checkpoint of the Altavas municipal police and the 1st Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company in Sitio Murayan, Poblacion, Altavas.
The suspects were Mary Jo Crespo Juachon, 38, of Taguig City; Jeric Bato Ampo Ramirez, 29, of San Dionisio, Parañaque City; and Cherry Grace Agustin De Leon of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.
They allegedly posed as Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel and deceived business establishments in the towns of Malay (Boracay Island), Banga, Nabas, Batan and Ibajay.
They approached business establishments, seemingly inspecting their fire extinguishers.
A victim from Nabas, Aklan, who was deceived of P14,500 in cash at around 7:30 a.m., sought help from the police.
Other victims also showed up at the Altavas municipal police station after learning of the suspects’ arrest.
“Nagpanggap silang BFP members at sinabing expired ang aming fire extinguishers kaninang umaga mga 10:45 a.m. Kailangan mag-refill kami dahil umiikot daw ang BFP sa region. Mga P5,000 ang nakuha sa amin katumbas ng dalawang fire extinguishers,” a gasoline station pump operator from Banga town said.
Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant against the modus operandi of criminal groups./PN
