Coordinator arrested for ditching wedding

CEBU, Philippines - A wedding coordinator was arrested at an uptown hotel last week for his alleged failure to arrange a wedding he was paid for reportedly with P200,000 December last year.

The Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-7 arrested Romel Pareja, 28, of Basak, Pardo by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Generosa Labra of Regional Trial Court Branch 23.

The court issued the warrant against Pareja on May 18 in relation to the estafa case filed against him by lawyer John Wallace and his wife Ann Alfonso.

The Wallace couple said they sought Pareja’s services for wedding, which was scheduled in December 2009. Pareja allegedly charged them P250,000 as service fee and they reportedly gave him P200,000 as initial payment.

They reportedly met Pareja once after the payment when the latter took Ann’s body measurements for her gown.

Days later, the couple tried to communicate with Pareja, but the latter allegedly no longer returned their calls, text messages, and emails.

The couple then decided to seek legal assistance from lawyer Manuel Legaspi who advised them to bring the matter to court.

Last May 18, SPO3 Juvenal Lagria arrested Pareja at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

RID chief Sr. Supt. Buenafe said it is possible that Pareja was supposed to meet with another client during the arrest, considering that he reportedly does not have an office where he transacts official business.

Yesterday, other supposed victims of Pareja went to the office of Sr. Supt. Ramon Melvin Buenafe to express their grievances against the respondent.

Lucille Alferez and his fiancé said they regretted availing of Pareja’s services. They reportedly paid him P220,000 as initial fee. Meanwhile, Angela Yap, on behalf of her brother Ian Jeremy and the latter’s fiancé Roselyn Tugao, also showed reporters the contract Pareja signed with Tugao.

Yap said her brother and future sister-in-law paid Pareja an initial P60,000. Pareja allegedly asked for P40,000 more, but the couple opted not to give the amount because they already had doubts on the respondent.

Buenafe said that aside from coordinating weddings, Pareja also plans birthdays and debuts and renders hosting services. What allegedly happens, he said, is that Pareja no longer shows up after he gets the initial payment from his clients.

The court has recommend a bail of P60,000 for Pareja’s temporary liberty.

Pareja refused to issue any comment. (THE FREEMAN)