Chan pledges legal aid for swindling victims

CEBU, Philippines —  Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has pledged to provide legal assistance to the numerous victims who reportedly lost millions to an alleged swindler, who happens to be a resident of the city.

The victims, who are also constituents of the mayor, went to see him recently to seek justice against the swindler.

“Di ta gusto anang panlupig sa isig katawo, pangilad sa iyang isig katawo, kontra kaayo na nato,” the mayor told reporters.

Chan has directed City Attorney James Allan Sayson to provide legal advice, do a case build-up, and help file a case against the swindler who deceived victims, some of them even borrowed money and reportedly lost millions.

“Ato nang gimanduan ang atong City Legal Office nga tutokan ang pagkaso sa maong investment scammer aron sa labing daling panahon masikop na siya ug wala na siyay laing mailad pa,” Chan added in his Facebook post.

The alleged swindler lives across Maribago barangay hall, and the wife works at Lapu-Lapu City Hall. The mayor called the wife to his office Tuesday.

According to one victim, the alleged swindler would reportedly ask for investments and would then let his victims profit handsomely.

Initially, the scammer asked for a P150,000 investment for rice trading then returns the P300,000 investment and profit. This went on for three months.

One victim borrowed P200,000 but never got the return of his investment.

Another victim said that after three months of enjoying the double-your-money profits, he lost millions after that.

The swindler told a victim that he had a Taiwanese buyer for a 3,000-square-meter SRP lot worth P200 million.

The swindler asked for a P3-million investment to pay for the taxes and process the transfer of title to realize the sale.

He promised a 20 percent share of the lot’s proceeds, or P40 million, to the victim.

This victim borrowed money and invested P3 million for processing. But the sale and return on investment were not realized. Now he owes the lender P4.5 million.

“Dili ta gusto nga dinhi sa syudad sa Lapu-Lapu dunay mangingilad, nga maoy makapa-islag na unya sa atong mga investor dinhi sa atong syudad. Makapasalig ko ninyo nga matagaan og hustisya ang inyohang gidangatan, paningkamotan ko nga masikop ning tawhana,” Chan said.

According to the city’s Public Information Office, as per records in Barangay Maribago, numerous complaints about money, fictitious lot sales, and bouncing checks have been filed against the alleged swindler.

Mediation clerk Irene Augusto said four of the numerous complaints against the suspect are already set for filing at the prosecutor’s office.

She added that one of the victims is the nephew of a former city councilor who works at the Hall of Justice.

The swindler drops the names of his friends and associates. According to victims, the swindler proudly claimed to be a consultant in government. — GAN (FREEMAN)