Swindling attempt on student foiled

CEBU, Philippines - Three alleged swindlers were caught yesterday by security operatives of a mall located in the North Reclamation Area, Cebu City. Charlyn Paring, 39, a native of Trinte, Poblacion Agusan del Sur; Elizabeth Delima, 54, and a 16-year-old boy were caught by mall security while trying to victimize a group of college students yesterday.

Kimberly Joy Zabala, 18, of A. Lopez, Katipunan Labangon, Cebu City and her classmate, Beauty Ann Marie Angon, 18, of Yati Liloan, Cebu City, both 3rd year finance students were almost victimized by Paring and her cohorts.

Zabala told The FREEMAN she was only waiting for her classmates in the said mall when Paring suddenly approached her and asked help.

“She (Paring) suddenly approached and asked me where she can rent a v-hire for their vegetable deliveries in Cebu,” Zabala said in Cebuano. She however replied that she does not have any idea how to help her. Suddenly, Delima allegedly interrupted from a distance saying “Naa koy nahibaw-an asa ka makaabang.” Relieved, Zabala thought that Paring will leave her alone after finding someone who can help her. To her surprise, Paring reportedly asked to put his green pouches which allegedly contain P23, 000.

“Abi ko’g mo biya na siya kay naa naman mo tabang niya iya man nuon ko gipugos nga isulod sa akong bag ang iya kunong pouch nga naay sulod kwarta,” she said.

Even if hesitant, she later noticed herself following Paring and Delima outside the mall to find a v-hire to rent.

Luckily, some undercover security personnel of the mall reportedly noticed Paring’s suspicious movements and tailed them until they were apprehended outside the mall. 

“Gisundan ra diay mi sa mga undercover nga security, unya pag-abot namo sa gawas, gidakop sila sa mga security apil na ang bayot nga ilang kauban,” Zabala said. The three culprits were later turned over to Cebu City Police Office theft and robbery section where they are currently being investigated. 

In an interview, Paring confessed to The FREEMAN that they were really planning to victimize the two students.

According to her, they arrived in Cebu City four days ago after they were trained to swindle. “Gi-train mi sa mga taga Manila unsaon pagpangilad before mi-anhi mi Cebu,” she said.

Paring, a mother of four, had no choice but to search for ways to support her family because her husband left her alone with their kids.

“I don’t have any choice but to do this (swindle) because I have to support my family’s needs,” Paring said in Cebuano.  

She also said that Delima served as her accomplice while the 16-year-old boy served as their lookout. They are both currently detained at Cebu City Police Office while awaiting formal charges against them.

Investigators said the three suspects are members of the “bodul-bodul” gang. They are also reminding the public to be more cautious especially during the ber months where many criminals are waiting to pounce on unsuspecting victims.   - (THE FREEMAN)