Couple in ‘online scam’ falls in Negros Oriental

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Oriental arrested a couple allegedly involved in a multimillion-peso online scam at Barangay Alangilan, Sta. Catalina town last Sunday.

CIDG operatives identified the suspects as Elmer Tinambacan, 36, and his wife Mary Rhonaline Tinambacan, 34, both residents of Malolos, Bulacan.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Huesca, head of CIDG-Negros Oriental, said the couple went hiding at the house of Elmer’s father in the said town.

CIDG operatives, along with personnel of Bacong and Sta. Catalina municipal police stations, Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial and Regional Highway Patrol Units, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-7 served arrest warrants for syndicated estafa against the couple while Elmer had two other warrants for estafa.

The warrants for syndicated estafa were issued by Judge Marie Yvette Deldel Go of Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Branch 37 in Iloilo City, while the warrant for estafa with no bail was issued by Judge Cicero Jandoc of RTC Branch 29 in Nueva Vizcaya.

Another warrant for another estafa case against Elmer was issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 1 in Iloilo City, with a P3,000 bail.

Huesca said the couple allegedly victimized many individuals nationwide. He, however, said that he has no idea about the couple’s modus.

During the arrest of the couple, police recovered from Elmer a .40-caliber pistol, two short magazines, 54 rounds of ammunition, five permit to carry cards, two firearm registration cards, a license to own and possess firearm card, a long gun magazine, and a sling bag.

Elmer will be facing charges for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

Meanwhile, authorities also arrested Elmer’s father Euglor Tinambacan Sr., 58 for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law.

The elder Tinambacan voluntarily surrendered a .45-caliber pistol, a steel magazine, 24 rounds of live ammunition, a homemade shotgun, two magazines, 10 rounds of ammunition for shotgun, and a sling bag.