By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Sta. Barbara Municipal Police Station has filed charges against a 50-year-old herbal medicine vendor for allegedly faking his own robbery.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) confirmed Wednesday that a perjury case was filed against alias Jim on March 11, a month after he claimed he was robbed.
Col. Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, said authorities decided to formalize the complaint to warn others against fabricating criminal incidents.
“As a result of what he did, government resources and manpower were wasted,” he said.
Razalan added that Jim’s actions not only undermined the investigative process but also carried serious legal consequences.
“Those who fabricate incidents will face the full consequences of the law and may find themselves behind bars,” he said.
Jim had reported that two motorcycle-riding men robbed him early in the evening of Feb. 11 in Barangay Guno, Sta. Barbara.
He claimed he had stopped by the roadside to urinate after visiting several community stores to sell herbal products.
While he was urinating, two men on a red motorcycle allegedly approached him and asked for directions to Barangay Balibagan.
Before he could respond, the suspects—both wearing jackets and crash helmets—declared a robbery.
Jim alleged that the backrider poked a knife at his side while the driver pointed a gun at his head.
He said the suspects told him they only wanted his money.
Jim claimed they took his wallet, which contained around PHP20,000 in cash, and his mobile phone before fleeing on their motorcycle.
He also said he was unable to get the motorcycle’s license plate number because it was covered with paper.
However, police doubted Jim’s story from the start.
Cpl. Ayrhan June Jancilan, Sta. Barbara police chief, noted that Jim only reported the incident at around 7:15 p.m., 45 minutes after the alleged robbery.
When asked why he delayed reporting the incident, even though it occurred just three kilometers away from the police station, Jim said he had asked nearby residents for help, but they ignored him.
Police later recovered his wallet just 30 meters from where he claimed the robbery happened.
After an extensive investigation, authorities determined that no such robbery had occurred at the reported time or location.
“This conclusion was corroborated by witness testimonies and evidence collected during the investigation,” the IPPO said in a statement.
The IPPO urged the public to be truthful in their dealings with law enforcement.
“Falsely reporting incidents can lead to serious legal consequences. Please consider the impact of making false reports, as truth is vital for maintaining a safe and trustworthy community,” it added.
