Six arrested for swindling

Six persons, including a six-year-old boy, were arrested for duping a woman with Chinese “medicine” and a lotto combination that they claimed would win her the jackpot.

The woman alleged that she was duped three times by the suspects - in January 2006, October 2007 and a few days ago - in different areas in the city.

SPO3 Ernesto Caballero identified the suspects as Pablo Tempo, 48, of A.S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City; Corazon Cairo, 37, of Katipunan St., Labangon, Cebu City; Analiza Gonzaga, 24, of Alaska-Mambaling, Cebu City; Rodrigo Tobil, 32, of Tulotulo, Consolacion town; Dominador Dagondon Jr., 28, of Looc, Danao City and a six–year old boy from Lapu-Lapu City.

The arrest happened along F. Gonzales Street in barangay Sto. Niño last Saturday afternoon after Josephine Gallardo, 43, of barangay Sambag Dos reported their presence to the Waterfront Police Station.Caballero said the victim claimed she already lost P1,513 for buying Chinese medicine, which the suspect claimed could heal various ailments, including those that are already considered malignant.

But aside from the medicine, the suspect allegedly sold her a sealed envelope containing a winning lotto combination. The victim betted on the number but did not win.

While Tempo admitted they just made up the “lucky” numbers, he said the herbal medicine really worked as it was bought from legitimate Chinese drugstores.  — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP