Wanted Priest
by Atty. Frank Malilong
The Other Side
Sun Star Daily Cebu
THE story of the con man who poses as a priest when swindling his victims has elicited immediate reaction from at least three readers who said they too had been had. Boy, “Father Swindler” must have amassed a fortune from his visits to his flock.
Banker Butch Cabatingan and his wife were conned two years ago, Ronald Ebora’s wife and his father last year, and my cousin Romy Orayan on Dec. 6, also last year. From their description of the priest and his methods, there seems little doubt that they were fooled by the same phony priest, the same one who pulled the two cases that I have written about.
Butch said the “priest” introduced himself as a relative who was on his way to Rome to study at the “Filipino College” but was short on funds. Butch and Joy took pity on him and were P1,000 poorer by the time the “reverend” vanished.
Romy said the scum also presented himself as “Father Orayan,” a relative from Bantayan, when he called on the insurance executive at his Pardo residence. “He had a big cross hanging from his neck and looked genuinely happy to see me,” Romy recalled on the phone last Sunday.
“Father Orayan” then asked to bless Romy’s house and the gracious host, elated by the knowledge that he had a priest for a relative, gave him a guided tour of the compound. When they were done with the “blessing,” the “priest” told Romy that he had a flight to catch to Singapore that day but not after mentioning that his allowance was barely enough.
Then, the visitor’s cell phone rang and “Father” told the caller he was on his way and that he was just talking to this relative. Romy said he felt guilty about being able to give his “relative” only P2,500 only to find out after making some calls that there was no such animal as a “Father Orayan.”
As in all the other cases, the Ebora family’s was over in less than 10 minutes. They trusted him because the visitor was properly dressed and spoke good English, Ronald recalled in his e-mail.
I now have a picture of the “priest,” the one that was taken by one of his most recent victims. He has a round face, looks fat and has clean cut hair. The picture shows only his face so I couldn’t tell his height but my friend, the doctor, describes him as about five foot two. She also said he must be between 30 to 40 years old.
I am giving a copy of the picture to all the victims and to the police. I also plan to furnish one to the archdiocese so they can properly warn the faithful, through the parish priests, that the man is a fraud.
Butch said he agrees that the man be placed in a cell with ***-starved inmates. But first, the police have to catch him.
Daghan na ni na biktima ning buang labi na sa mga charismatic communities.
SEE ATTACHED PHOTO & FORWARD TO FAMILY & FRIENDS.
WANTED: Father Swindler, the con priest
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