Cop, wife linked to ‘scammer’s’ slay

CEBU, Philippines —  A Davao City-based policeman who reportedly went on absence without leave (AWOL) and his wife are implicated in the killing of an alleged investment scam artist.

The Balambam, Cebu police, however, refused to disclose the names of the two “persons of interest” pending the results of the investigation.

Police Major Christian Torres, Balamban Police Station chief, said the policeman and his wife and Armando Bernaldez Oppus, 34, were allegedly the co-founders of a pyramiding scam in Davao City based on unverified reports from netizens.

Oppus was found dead in Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban town in midwest Cebu late night on Tuesday, August 20.

Oppus, whose body was dumped along the road, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Also, Oppus’ hands were tied and his head was wrapped in boxer shorts when found.

Police identified Oppus based on documents recovered from a vehicle that fell off a cliff and caught fire in neighboring Barangay Sunog.

Torres said Oppus, the policeman and his wife reportedly went to Cebu together to evade arrest.

“We received reports through the police station's official Facebook page that the three went to Cebu together. They reportedly bought new cars under a foreigner’s name,” said Torres.

Torres said the personnel of San Pedro Police Station in Davao City have located the residence of the police officer and his wife, but they were no longer there.

“Based on the accounts of their neighbors, the couple and their family were seen leaving their house when the pyramiding scam erupted,” he said.

Oppus and his family also “abandoned” their house in Digos City, Davao del Sur after a case of large-scale estafa was filed against the former, said Torres.

Torres said a conflict might have sparked between Oppus and the couple, resulting in the murder.

The AWOL policeman reportedly invested a huge sum to Oppus, but the latter reportedly ran off with his money.

But Torres said they are not also discounting the possibility that the killing may be related to the estafa case filed against Oppus earlier this month.

Moreover, the family of Oppus has yet to claim his body.

Torres said that unclaimed bodies will be buried at the municipal cemetery after 60 days. — KQD (FREEMAN)