Ex-Escalante mayoral bet arrested for syndicated estafa

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A former mayoralty candidate in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, was arrested in Barangay Mabini in connection with multiple counts of syndicated estafa.

Police first served arrest warrants for six counts of syndicated estafa against 36-year-old “Je-ar,” a resident of Barangay Jonob-Jonob, on Aug. 13.

Another warrant for the same offense was served on Aug. 18.

The arrest warrants were issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 57 in San Carlos City on Feb. 10, 2025, with no bail recommended.

Police Lt. Col. Albert Sy, chief of the Escalante City Police Station, said the suspect is allegedly a local leader of Alpha Omega, a group operating in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental accused of soliciting money from members in exchange for promises of land titles.

Upon his apprehension, authorities discovered a hideout in Barangay Mabini, where the suspect had dug an area in an attempt to elude capture.

He frequently changed locations until police, in coordination with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion–Negros Island Region, finally cornered him.

Sy confirmed that Je-ar ran for mayor in the May 2025 midterm elections but lost.