Suspected swindler arrested at U-Belt

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected swindler and thief who reportedly preys on students at the University Belt was arrested after he was spotted by one of his recent victims along Mendiola street in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Policemen from the Motorcycle Anti-Street Crimes Operatives (Masco) of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were on patrol along the University Belt in C.M. Recto Avenue when they were flagged down by Dennis Lacuna, 21, a student of the Centro Escolar University, and his companion, 30-year-old male dancer Deney Ebrieo.

The two sought the assistance of Masco policemen in arresting Ross Oliver Cervante – alias Mark Castro, Celine and Vonn Ryan Go – whom they spotted at the corner of Loyola and Mendiola ready to pounce on another victim.

Cervante is the subject of a police flash alarm after he allegedly swindled Lacuna on Feb. 12 in the same area.

Police said Cervante’s reported modus operandi is to introduce himself as a fortune teller to his victims. He would tell his victims to entrust their possessions to cleanse them of negative energy, but would later abscond with his victim’s belongings. 

According to Lacuna, Cervante befriended him and, when he took the suspect to his home, Cervante allegedly stole his laptop and valuables worth P100,000 and P6,000 cash. Police found Lacuna’s laptop in Cervante’s possession, according to Inspector Vergelio Ozinlao, the leader of the arresting Masco team.

The deployment of Masco policemen at the University Belt is part of the security preparation for “Oplan Balik-Eskwela” of NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales. Some 20 policemen on motorcycles have started patrolling the main thoroughfares leading to the University Belt to provide security and assistance to distressed students, according to Senior Superintendent Jose Mario Espino, chief of the NCRPO’s Regional Mobile Group.