'Would-be lodger' robs landlady

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Ramon Buenafe is warning all businessmen to be extra vigilant and always secure their establishments this holiday season, which robbers and other criminals may take advantage of.

This after a man, who pretended to be would-be lodger, stole her wallet Thursday morning in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

Immaculate Alolor, 38, reported to the police that a man who identified himself as Christopher Ecoy Lunio, allegedly a resident of Minglanilla town, took her wallet that she placed inside her room.

The suspect earlier applied to be a lodger of the boarding house located on Gorordo Avenue.

In the course of their conversation regarding the suspect’s plan to apply as lodger at around 11 am, the suspect asked permission to use the comfort room.

Without the victim’s knowledge, the suspect went inside her room and took her wallet.

Moments later, she saw the suspect heading outside the boarding house while talking to someone on his cellular phone so as to appear that someone was waiting for him outside.

The victim then discovered minutes later that her wallet, which contained assorted cards, including her PCR license card and company ID, and P100 cash, that she placed inside her bedroom was missing.

The police have earlier warned owners of boarding house and lodging houses to be extra vigilant of those who may apply as their boarders/lodgers as criminals nowadays use different modus operandi just to carry out their nefarious activities.

Buenafe yesterday advised business sectors, especially those who’ll be closing their establishments for the long vacation, to secure them properly. They may inform the police so the latter can check their establishment from time to time. They should also report any suspicious person to the police who will then give attention to it.

“It happened in the past na man gud. Mao ni gina-take advantage sa mga kawatan, during long vacation and holidays. So we are warning the public especially those in the business sectors na siguroon nga ang ilang security is in place,” the CCPO Director said.

Meanwhile, a 38-year old farmer was stabbed to death 10 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Busay, Moalbual.

Vicente Balbuena Jr. of barangay Manduyong, Badian, was stabbed dead by Marcelino Taypin, 46, a resident of Barangay Busay.

Prior the incident, Balbuena allegedly went to the house of Taypin together with three other friends, Manolito Duerme, Hamilton Alcores and Sanny Bayosyos searching for the victim’s daughter. There, Balbuena caught his daughter drinking with the suspect.

For unknown reason, Balbuena allegedly had an argument with his daughter, who allegedly got irked and left the area.

But after the girl left, Balbuena and Taypin allegedly got into a verbal tussle. Few minutes later, Taypin took a butcher’s knife from his kitchen and stabbed the victim several times.

The victim was found by the responding police 20 meters away from the suspect’s house in a corn field with multiple stabbed wounds on different parts of his body. He was rushed to Badian District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. 

Police said they consider the three companions of the victim as key witnesses of the incident.

Taypin was arrested in Barangay Busay at 5:45 a.m. on Friday during a hot pursuit operation.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession was a 14-inch butcher’s knife believed to be used in the killing.  (FREEMAN)