Ormoc court employee nabbed on fraud, arms charges

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – An employee of the Municipal Trial Court here has been arrested for alleged estafa and illegal possession of firearms.

The police identified the suspect as Melquiades Valiente, 35, of Barangay (village) Lao, Ormoc City, a process server for more than five years.

Valiente was arrested Thursday in an entrapment conducted by the police 3:30 p.m. Thursday along Aviles St., Ormoc City after they received a complaint from Sales Cabornay, a 57-year-old businessman, that the suspect was extorting money from him.

The police confiscated from Valiente two marked P1,000 bills, a .45 caliber pistol and 16 bullets.

In his complaint, Cabornay alleged that Valiente had been taking money from him since 2010 reportedly to be used in stopping four hired killers from killing the businessman.

However, the police believed that Valiente had made up the story so he could get money from Cabornay.

Cabornay disclosed that Valiente also asked money from him to facilitate his release when he was arrested last April.

In a telephone interview, Police Officer 2 Alvin Sarcilla, Police Station 3 desk officer on duty, said Cabornay was held last April 30 after a complaint received through a phone call saying Cabornay fired a gun.

Cabornay was released later after he presented the gun’s complete documents.

From then on, Cabornay said he received several text messages from Valiente asking for money and using the name of Ormoc City police director Supt. Nilo Donayre, saying the amount would be given to the police. Donayre denied this.

Valiente on Friday denied that he was extorting money from Cabornay, adding that the P2,000 confiscated from him was supposed to be a loan from Cabornay.

Valiente added that the gun taken from him was registered but could not show any supporting documents.

Charges of extortion and illegal possession of firearms would be filed against the suspect.