Incumbent San Fernando City Councilor Arrested in CIDG Entrapment Operation Over Alleged Fraudulent Land Sales

Incumbent San Fernando City Councilor Arrested in CIDG Entrapment Operation Over Alleged Fraudulent Land Sales

📌 On November 13–14 (dates vary by report), an incumbent city councilor of San Fernando, Pampanga was arrested along with 2 real estate company officials in an entrapment operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). They are accused of selling and taking payment for residential lots registered under other owners, such as government agencies, as if they were company land, and complaints for estafa and syndicated estafa have been filed.

■ Details of the Case
· According to Punto! Central Luzon, on Saturday, November 14, the CIDG conducted an entrapment operation at the office of Kay-Land Real Estate Development Corp. in Barangay San Agustin, San Fernando, and arrested Councilor Racquel "Kay" Pineda and 2 company officials. The Inquirer reported the time of the arrest as "last Friday" (the 13th).
· The complainants said they bought lots in Panorama Heights and Kay-Land Residences in the town of Mexico, Pampanga (Inquirer).
· According to the CIDG report, the suspects claimed the land was owned by the company or could be legally sold by the company, but some of it is reportedly land owned by other owners, assets secured by the Pag-IBIG Fund, or properties registered under other institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) (Punto).
· The complainants claim they paid large sums in cash, checks, bank deposits, and other forms. The amount of damages and the number of complainants were not reported.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· According to the Inquirer, the councilor and the company's executives and agents face complaints for estafa and syndicated estafa. The charges have not yet been decided in court.
· Punto said it contacted the councilor's side but had not received a response as of the time of reporting.

■ Advice for Residents and Travelers
· When buying land or a house, don't rely solely on the seller's word; check for yourself the actual name on the title at the Registry of Deeds.
· Pay by methods that leave a record, and be sure to keep contracts and receipts.
· Even if the company is linked to a public official or a local influential figure, don't skip checking the documents.

■ Sources
Punto! Central Luzon (11/14), Inquirer (11/14)

■ Photos
· 1. Map showing the location of Pampanga — Inquirer
· 2. File photo · Graphic of handcuffs and the word 'ARRESTED' — Punto! Central Luzon