BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
This 52-year-old man claiming to be a “general” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has been arrested twice and released on bail also twice, for estafa charges.
PLt. John Paul Tabujara, deputy police chief of Kabankalan City, said yesterday that Joel Famoso, alias Maj. Gen. Joel Famoso, was released yesterday from police custody after posting bail of P30,000 for estafa charges.
Famoso was apprehended by the police on Wednesday in Brgy. 9, Kabankalan City, by virtue of arrest warrants issued by Panabo Regional Trial Court Judge Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga in Davao del Norte for two counts of estafa.
Tabujara said that charges for illegal possession of firearms were also filed against Famoso following the recovery of a 45 caliber Colt pistol with a magazine containing six ammunition during his arrest.
Famoso, who also claimed to be a Malacaňang “special envoy”, and eight others were apprehended by the police on July 24 in Brgy. Zone 2, Cadiz City, by virtue of arrest warrants for usurpation of authority and two counts of estafa.
But Famoso was freed from police custody after posting bail for estafa and usurpation of authority charges. His eight other companions were also released after the lapse of the 18-hour reglementary period of detention, Lt. Col. Robert Mansueto, Cadiz City police chief, said.
The arrest of Famoso , who also claimed to be Chief of Communication Operation for the President’s Project and Chief Presidential Investigator, an ordained minister of the Jesus Praise Family Ministry, and a lawyer, and eight others in Cadiz City, yielded a fragmentation grenade and two .38 caliber revolvers.*
