3 arrested for illegal solicitation, trespassing in Antipolo City
Three women were nabbed by the Antipolo City Police for trespassing and using a fake death certificate to scam residents in Barangay San Isidro, Antipolo, Rizal on Thursday, July 17.
According to the complainant, the three suspects went to her home to solicit for the alleged burial of a garbageman who recently died. The victim donated money to the women who quickly left after receiving the money.
After a few days, the women returned to the victim's house asking for a donation again for the burial of a two-year-old child who drowned.
However, the suspects entered the house premises without the victim's permission, prompting her to ask for assistance from the barangay.
“Tao po, tao po, solicit, solicit! Ganun po sila. Pag po walang tao, sasalisihin nila. Ganun yung ginawa sa amin. Kung ano yung nakita nila, kukunin nila gaya ho nung payong namin (Hello, is anyone home? Solicit, solicit! That's their modus. If no one is around, they will just enter the house. That's what they did to us. Whatever they see inside the house, they will take it. That's what they did to our umbrella)," the victim said.
Marvin Cruz, chief watcher of the barangay, belied the suspects' claims that a garbageman and a child died. He explained that the arresting watchers recovered a fake death certificate and a solicitation letter from the three.
The suspects admitted to the crime, saying they were desperate for money as their husbands are not earning enough for their families.
They also revealed that the modus was taught to them by a friend and that they were not the only ones doing the crime.
“Ito po kasi ‘yung alam ko. Wala po kasing trabaho ‘yung asawa ko. Minsan po naka-P800 kami o P1,000. Sila naman P300, P500, minsan P600. Nagsisisi rin kasi miss ko ‘yung pito kong anak (This is the only thing I can do because my husband has no work. Sometimes we earn P800 to P1,000. Others earn P300, P500, or P600. I regret what I've done because now that I'm in jail, I'm going to miss my seven children)," the 38-year-old suspect said.
The three are currently detained at the Antipolo PNP Custodial Facility and are facing estafa and trespassing charges.