The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental has arrested a 33-year old woman for eleven counts of estafa back in Butuan and Bogo City, Cebu, after which she was charged with another offense for pretending to be a general in the police organization while at Camp Francisco Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
PNP acting provincial director Sr. Supt Henry Biñas identified Friday the alleged impostor as Nimjie Villegas Tampus, a resident of Bogo in Cebu City.
The warrant for her arrest was issued by the regional trial court Branch 61 in Bogo for seven counts of estafa and four other counts in Butuan City.
According to Biñas the woman pretended to be a general in the police organization, purportedly to deceive others and could have victimized several others in the province.
She even had an escort who is a jail officer, in the person of J02 Gil Salatan.
As a result, the police also arrested her for usurpation of authority in violation of Article 177 and 178 of the Revised Penal Code for claiming she is the incoming regional director of the Police Regional Office 18 (PRO-18).
Salatan, who is believed to be the boyfriend of Tampus, was told to explain why he should not be charged with violations of PD 1829 for obstruction of justice.
The arresting officers included Insp. Bernabe Rubio, officer-in-charge of the Dauin Police station, together with PO3 Edgardo Pacana, PO3 Jimmar Delfino and PO1 Virgel Pacana.
Recovered from the possession of Salatan were four cellphones.
Tampus is temporarily detained at the Dumaguete City Police detention cell. (Juancho Gallarde)
