Mayoral bet detained for syndicated estafa

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —  A mayoral candidate who lost in the May 12 elections in Escalante City, Negros Occidental has been arrested for two counts of syndicated estafa.

Je-ar Escares, 36, was arrested on Aug. 13 in Barangay Mabini, based on a warrant for violation of Presidential Decree 1689 or the law increasing the penalty for certain forms of swindling or estafa.

Another arrest warrant for similar charges issued by Judge Arville Delgado of the San Carlos City Regional Trial Court was also served on Escares on Aug. 18.

No bail was recommended for the suspect’s temporary liberty, according to Escalante City police chief Lt. Col. Albert Sy.

Escares is being held at the detention facility of the Escalante police in Barangay Hacienda Fe.

The arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by members of a group known as the Alpha Omega World Development Program, whose local chapter is reportedly headed by Escares.

Investigation showed that each member was promised a five-hectare property in exchange for paying monthly dues to the group.

Police said that after the arrest of Escares, several dugouts were dicovered in Sitio Sinambulong 2, which were reportedly used by Escares as hideouts.

Sy said charges of attempted homicide and direct assault upon a person in authority were also filed against Escares for allegedly shooting at the police.