Gold bar seller nabbed

Cebu City police arrested a man who was allegedly a member of a group of swindlers.

Police arrested Josie Gil Jr. based on the complaint of Mario dela Peña Pepinas, a retired police chief inspector from Baybay, Leyte.

Pepinas arrived in Cebu last Wednesday and stayed in downtown hotel where he met Gil and his three companions, who introduced themselves as Armando Villegas, Riman Andronico and Jerien Concepcion.

The retired policeman said the three men asked him if he wanted to buy gold bars worth P8 million.

Pepinas said the three men were able to convince him and he paid P30,000 as down payment.

Pepinas said he became suspicious when the three men asked for additional P50,000 before the gold bars will be transported from Siquijor to Cebu.

Pepinas sought help from the theft and robbery section of the Cebu City Police Office.

Pepinas then brought the police to the hotel where he was supposed to meet the three men to pay the additional P50,000.

It was at the hotel where Gil was arrested.

Pepinas failed to recover the P30,000 as it was only Gil who showed up at the hotel.

Gil said he was just also a victim as he was only asked by his two companions to look for buyers of gold bars. CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON