Cop indicted for estafa

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman was indicted for estafa for allegedly misappropriating more than P30,000 entrusted to him by a friend as payment for the firearm the latter wanted to buy.

Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon approved the indictment of SPO4 Roberto Cale and elevated the case for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code to the Regional Trial Court.

The prosecutor’s office recommended a bail of P18,000 for Cale’s temporary liberty.

Jose Guardo Jr. accused Cale of misappropriating his money which he gave to the latter as payment for the gun he wanted to buy in 2008.

Guardo, manager of Banyan Tree Spa, said he wanted to buy a caliber .45 pistol from a gun store but the accused allegedly offered to purchase it from his friend.

Cale, who is assigned to the Police Regional Office-7 and Guardo’s neighbor in Surigao del Sur, also offered to process the licensing of the gun and the permit to carry outside residence.

Guardo said that because he personally knew the accused, he entrusted to him a total of P33,500 which he paid in three installments from July to June 2008.

Cale allegedly promised that the firearm and its documents will be delivered to him in two to three months. However, the accused failed to deliver the documents until now despite several demands.

Guardo said he even called Cale before the Regional Internal Affairs Service of the PNP to demand for the return of his money. Cale reportedly executed a promissory note in the presence of RIAS officials to pay him back on installment basis.

But Cale reportedly failed to fulfill his promise until now.

Assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan found probable cause to hold Cale for trial despite his claim that the complaint was fabricated.

Gidayawan recommended for the filing of the case before the court, a move that Sellon approved. – Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)