POLICE discover the hideout of a former mayoral candidate wanted for syndicated estafa in Barangay Mabini, Escalante City, Negros Occidental. (Escalante City Police Station)
BACOLOD CITY – A former mayoral candidate in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, was recently arrested in Barangay Mabini, Escalante City for multiple counts of syndicated estafa.
Authorities served arrest warrants for six counts of syndicated estafa against 36-year-old Je-ar, a resident of Barangay Jonob-Jonob, Escalante City on Aug. 13, followed by another warrant for the same offense on Aug. 18.
The arrest warrants were issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 57 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Feb. 10, 2025.
No bail was recommended for the suspect.
Police Lt. Col. Albert Sy, Escalante City police chief, said the suspect was reported to be a leader of a group operating in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental allegedly soliciting money from members in exchange for promises of land titles.
Sy said the suspect ran for mayor in the midterm elections but lost.
Authorities discovered a hideout in Barangay Mabini where he dug an area to evade arrest.
Sy said the suspect would frequently change locations until police cornered him.