PAKISTANI IN ‘BUDOL-BUDOL’ SCAM ARRESTED IN BULACAN 

BY KEVIN GALANG

A PAKISTANI national on Thursday was arrested by the police while his two alleged cohorts are being hunted following a “budol-budol” incident at a restaurant in Bgy. Igulot, Bocaue, Bulacan.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Penones Jr. by the Bulacan police identified the victim as Jocelyn Marino, 59, a businesswoman and a resident of Bgy. Wakas in Bocaue. 

The suspect was alias “Ali,” a 53-year-old  Pakistani national, and a cook staying in Bgy. Lolomboy, Bocaue.

Marino told police that the swindling occurred  inside the Black Pink Samgeupsal branch in Bgy. Igulot.

She said she was duped of P30,000 by the suspects.

A review of the restaurant’s CCTV footage revealed that “Ali” was engaged in a conversation with the victim while the second suspect allegedly took P30,000 from the victim’s bag in exchange for a one-dollar bill.

The third suspect reportedly distracted the restaurant personnel to prevent them from noticing the scam.

Authorities said the victim appeared to be distracted or momentarily disoriented during the incident. 

The two suspects already left the area when the businesswoman noticed that her money was missing 

The victim immediately sought help from the village watchmen, who arrested the Pakistani national and turned him over to responding policemen.