Bacolod Police chief charges 'balikbayan' from Olongapo

By Candy S. Genovea, Sun Star

IN A strange twist of fate, the "balikbayan" who claimed she was robbed at the Reclamation area was instead charged before the Bacolod City Prosecutor's Office for perjury.

The police released the 17-year-old boy whom she pointed to as one of the culprits after it turned out that he was innocent and had nothing to do with any hold-up incident.

Several repeated inquiries showed the inconsistencies in the versions they gave on the incident.

"Arrest her, no more explanations, you are fooling the police," an irate Bacolod City Police Chief Pedro Merced ordered.

Marlin Salien Reyes, the alleged robbery victim, ended up at the cold detention cell of the Bacolod Police Thursday.

Reyes earlier told the police she is Myca Kintanar and that she is a balikbayan.

She also claimed that she has worked as a bank teller in San Diego, California.

Reyes sought police assistance after she was allegedly held up of P350,000 in cash and valuables at the Reclamation Area last Wednesday.

"The deeper the investigations, the more inconsistent the facts became," Merced stressed out.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport authorities could not find any record of her arrival in the country.

Local airlines could not even produce a booking bearing her name.

Reyes alleged that she was supposed to leave for Manila Thursday onboard a 9:30 am flight. This is allegedly en route for her extended vacation in Baguio City.

Her cousin, Armida Abu Bakar, alias Armida Guillermo, first squealed on her, saying no robbery took place and that they just run out of funds after a vacation in Boracay Island.

Abu Bakar, a native of Jolo, Sulu, was not charged by the police although she was also being investigated.

This "lies" angered Merced as his men were led to believe that the two women were held-up in the city.

Operatives were also deployed to conduct a manhunt operation against the culprits.

A 17-year-old boy was even arrested upon the prodding of Reyes saying the boy was one of those who robbed them.

Merced said charges of perjury by using fictitious name and concealing the truth were filed against Reyes.

He revealed that records showed that Reyes, 33, married, is from Mangahan St., Bo. Barretto, Olongapo City.

No record could show that since 1984 she is a bank teller of the Bank of America in San Diego, California.

Her use of the English language gave her away as the probing media talked with her in English.

It appeared that she could not talk in straight English and was more adept at using Tagalog in answering the queries.

Meanwhile, the family of the boy who was locked up earlier at Police Precinct 2 said they would file charges against Reyes.

"I am happy that I was released already. I did not commit such crime," the minor said.