Security guard admits faking Iloilo robbery

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Unpaid debts and an addiction to online gambling allegedly drove a security guard to concoct a story that he was robbed.

A security guard identified only as alias “Kent,” 32, of Barangay Aglalana, Passi City, Iloilo reported to police around 8:40 a.m. on May 6 that he was robbed by two unidentified men around 7 a.m.

Kent told police investigators that he was fixing his motorcycle in Sitio Barren, Barangay Aglalana, when two motorcycle-riding men stopped near him.

The back rider allegedly pointed a gun at him and declared a holdup.

The “suspects” allegedly carted away his sling bag containing PHP 24,000 and a mobile phone.

Police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation but did not find the alleged assailants.

They also coordinated with nearby police stations for dragnet operations.

But it did not take long for Kent to crack.

Around 4:20 p.m. the same day, he admitted that he made up the story after he lost money to scatter, a type of slot machine game in online casinos.

Police Staff Sgt. Lenie Rose Piamonte, Passi City Police Station spokesperson, said Kent went to a lending firm in Leganes town.

He and his brother-in-law apparently took out a loan and surrendered their ATM cards as collateral.

The lending company gives them only the excess amount from their salaries every payday.

Kent was given PHP 6,300, while his brother-in-law received PHP 13,000.

Kent admitted that he lost all the money, including his brother-in-law’s salary, to scatter.

As this developed, Piamonte said police are preparing documents and evidence for the possible filing of a criminal complaint for perjury against Kent.