VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Police arrested Monday an alleged swindler posing as a preacher after he raked some P350,000 from former Ilocos Sur governor now Narvacan town councilor Luis Chavit Singson at his residence in Baluarte, Barangay Salindeg here.
Superintendent Jugith Del Prado, Vigan City police chief, said that at about 5:30 p.m. Monday Singson’s security escort brought to police station the suspect identified as Franklin Lopez Valencia, 42, claiming to be a preacher or pastor, of Barangay 26, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Del Prado said the suspect, who introduced himself as Rey Europa Cabrera, a pastor of Pentecost 4th Watch based in Barangay Orense, Narvacan town, went to the house of Singson and asked for money for the construction of their church.
Singson said he became suspicious as the suspect had already solicited from him a total amount of more or less P350,000
When Singson asked for the identification card of the suspect, he could not produce any. This prompted Singson to instruct his personal security to bring him to the police station for investigation.
Aside from Singson, the suspect was also found soliciting money from prominent personalities in Ilocos Sur, according to Del Prado.
Security officers of the former governor also checked the suspect’s rented car and found inside an extra car plate number.
Police learned that the suspect had rented the car for P1,600 per day to roam Ilocos Sur and solicit money for the construction of a chapel.
Singson filed cases of stafa and use of fictitious name against the suspect before the prosecutor’s office in Ilocos Sur on Monday.
Del Prado said the suspect is now under police custody. (Freddie G. Lazaro, Mar Supnad)
