Man arrested for "swindling"

CEBU, Philippines - A 64-year-old man was arrested during an entrapment operation while allegedly accepting money from a woman he had promised jobs for two of her relatives at the Bureau of Lands where he is presently working.

The Investigative and Detective Management Bureau (IDMB) of the Mandaue City Police Office arrested last Thursday afternoon Ireneo Ibon, married, and a resident of sitio Salvacion in barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City.

Ibon was arrested in the act of accepting the P5,000 marked money provided by the IDMB to Jessi Gabunada, 50, of barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City.

Based on Gabunada’s statement, last May 31, she handed P8,000 to Ibon after Ibon told her that there are two vacancies for filing clerks at the Bureau of Lands, which he could get the positions for his niece and the girlfriend of her son.

However, when she again sought him to ask when his relatives could have the jobs, Ibon told her that their applications were still being processed.

She said Ibon once again called her and asked for additional P5,000 since the office is asking for P2,500 bond for each of the applicants.

Doubting the suspect's statement, Gabunada reported the incident to the IDMB, which immediately conducted an entrapment at a fastfood chain in barangay Centro at around 2:10 last Thursday.

At the MCPO headquarters, it was later known that Ibon was not connected with the Bureau of Lands but admitted he was a fixer.

A case for swindling is being readied against Ibon who is currently detained at the Mandaue City Police station 1.  (FREEMAN)