By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — “Don’t talk to strangers.” This advice to children should be given to adults, especially senior citizens, too.
A retired public school teacher here has lost P100,000 worth of cash and jewelry to members of a budol-budol (swindling) gang.
Rose Bora, 69, of Barangay New Buswang was given a bundle of notebooks in exchange for her expensive belongings.
Three people befriended Bora while she was walking near the adoration chapel of Saint John the Baptist Cathedral in Barangay Poblacion.
Bora told the police that a woman approached her first at about 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 22, introducing herself as her former elementary pupil.
Another man arrived while they were in the middle of conversation. A few moments later, another woman came up to them.
The second woman gave Bora a black bag, which she said contained P100,000 cash as payment for the fire extinguishers they allegedly purchased from her.
The suspects later convinced Bora to place in another bag her P15,000 cash, a pair of gold earrings, three women’s wristwatches, four men’s wristwatches, two pairs of diamond rings, and two gold necklaces.
They advised Bora to go home and wait for them for they will have lunch together, but they did not come.
Bora’s family members were shocked to find a bundle of notebooks instead of cash when they checked the content of the black bag.
Chief Inspector Pedro Enriquez, municipal police chief, urged the public to be vigilant against swindlers at all times.
Enriquez also advised the public, especially senior citizens, not to talk to and easily trust strangers.
Police are now investigating the incident. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
