By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A man claiming to be an agent of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was arrested by actual CIDG agents, Wednesday afternoon, at Luisa Medel National High School in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City.

Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Michael James Vargas, a resident of Block 10, Lot 112 of the Greenplains Subdivision in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City.

According to CIDG-Bacolod chief field investigator, Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) Ramiro Gocotano, two individuals, identified as Engr. Joseph Yanson and Mariel Takamatsu, visited their office to file a complaint against Vargas, who allegedly introduced himself to Yanson as CIDG operative with the rank of SPO4.

Gocotano said Yanson claimed Vargas borrowed P170,000 in cash from him, but the suspect refused to pay the money back claiming his check from the Armed Forces and Police Savings & Loan Association was not released on orders from Camp Crame.

Vargas also allegedly used the name of former CIDG-Negros head, Police Chief Inspector Ariel Artillero, claiming he was ordered by the latter to borrow P50,000 from Yanson.

Takamatsu, meanwhile, said Vargas rented her vehicle but after 41 days, the suspect did not pay the rental contract, except for the P10,000 initial deposit.

However, Takamatsu’s vehicle was equipped with a global positioning system (GPS), which enabled operatives to trace his whereabouts, resulting in his arrest.

Vargas faces two counts of estafa and usurpation of authority, and is now under the custody of the CIDG.

Gocotano also called on Vargas’ other victims to surface and file charges; adding, the suspect’s crimes are a “huge embarrassment” for the local CIDG./DGB, WDJ