Fake city SM mall supervisor fleeces money from victims

By Mydz Supnad

BAGUIO CITY- A suspected illegal recruiter who claimed to be a mall supervisor was arrested Feb. 6 after he was chased by his victims inside the SM Mall here.

Senior Supt. David Lacdan, city police chief identified the suspect as June Rualo Fonacier, 26, resident of San Roque, Agoo, La Union.

Fonacier was almost being lynched after he was chased by his alleged victims of illegal recruitment.

The suspect was arrested after three weeks of hiding when he was chanced upon by the complainants inside SM Baguio.

Lacdan said a short chase transpired inside the mall but with the assistance of SM security personnel, the suspect was arrested and was turned over to Police Station 7.

Insp. Karissma Sta. Juana, PNP city spokesperson, said the Fonacier was charged with estafa and illegal recruitment based on complaints of three persons that he reportedly victimized at about 4 p.m. of Jan. 4, here along Post office Loop, Session Road.

According to investigation, Sta. Juana said the suspect approached the victims and introduced himself as head supervisor at SM-Baguio.

After convincing them to be employed as employees of SM Baguio, the suspect reportedly collected money amounting to P1,450, P3,700 and P5,000.00 from each victim, respectively, with a total collection amounting to P10,150.

After receiving the amount, the victims said they could not locate the suspect anymore until they saw him at the said mall.

The case was referred to inquest prosecutor Jorge Manaois who ordered the detention of the suspect at the city jail.