Fake tipster falls in Munti

MANILA, Philippines - A woman was arrested in Muntinlupa City Tuesday for allegedly feeding false information to several police stations in exchange for money, an official said yesterday.

City police chief Superintendent Eleazar Matta said Anelie Llagunas accused Engelbert Humpert Cruz and his brother, Arsenio, of shooting Police Officer 1 Alvin Ammak when he responded to a shooting in Alabang Sunday.

“She even had a letter asking to solicit money for her son with Engelbert,” Matta told The STAR over the phone, adding the solicitation took place at about 5 p.m. Tuesday.

An eyewitness, however, said he saw the face of the killer and it did not resemble Cruz.

Police found Cruz has a five-year-old son with his common-law wife, whose surname is Llegunas (a letter different from that of the suspect’s). Police also found that Cruz has a younger sister, but no brothers.

A source said Llagunas has reportedly given false information to at least two police stations and a major division of the Philippine National Police.

According to Matta, Cruz was invited to the police station and was angered upon hearing Llagunas’ claims. He stood as the complainant against Llagunas, who was charged with incriminatory machination, obstruction of justice, and illegal solicitation before the city prosecutor’s office Wednesday.