ILOILO CITY – Two individuals, one posing as a relative of the first family, were arrested for alleged swindling during an entrapment operation in Sibunag town in Guimaras on Tuesday.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) Director, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, confirmed the arrest of Margarita Cacho, 65, of Barangay Sabang, and her secretary, Cayetano Leal, 48, of Barangay Misi, Lambunao, Iloilo.

Cacho reportedly claimed to be a relative of the first family.

Two Philippine Coast Guard personnel, allegedly acting as Cacho’s security, were also taken into custody for failing to present valid documents proving their legal presence in the area.

“This is no ordinary crime. The suspect’s modus operandi involves falsely guaranteeing government contracts to contractors in exchange for large sums of money,” Wanky said in a press conference Wednesday.

The entrapment stemmed from the complaint of the proponent of the Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, an emission testing center. Cacho promised to secure the center’s permit and license in exchange for PHP1 million.

An initial payment of PHP400,000 was made in September 2024 but when Cacho demanded the full amount, the complainant sought police assistance.

Combined personnel of the Regional Special Operations Group 6, the Criminal Investigation Detection Group, and the Guimaras Police, upon the supervision of the Office of the President, launched the operation.

Authorities recovered PHP400,000 in boodle money, PHP500 in marked cash, two .45 caliber firearms with ammunition, nine 9mm bullets, holsters, and mobile phones.

Swindling charges were filed against Cacho and Leal, while the two Coast Guard personnel –
Apprentice Seaman Marwin Parpan, 31, and Seaman 2nd Class Rico Maylan, 27 – face charges for illegal possession of firearms under Republic Act 10591 in relation to the election gun ban.

Wanky said there was also information that Cacho has had other victims using the same modus, with her flaunting herself as a relative of the first family.

“If there are those who have fallen victim to her modus, we encourage them to come out and file cases against the subject,” he added. (PNA)