MANILA (UPDATE) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Thursday the arrest for the case of syndicated estafa, of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police chief.

“Pursuant sa warrants of arrest ng RTC QC Branch 104, si Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon ay inaresto at was taken to custody by the RFO (Regional Field Office) ng CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) diyan sa BAR,” Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the PNP, said in a press briefing.

Fajardo said the case originated when Guyguyon was still assigned at the PNP Aviation Security Group (AvSeGroup).

At that time, Guyguyon was among the incorporators of a financing company, which is supposed to provide loan for the purchase of land, after payment of equity, said Fajardo.

“So they were tasked and instructed to give an equity of around P350,000 so that they could apply for a loan. But supposedly. ito pong pera na ito ay ipangbabayad sa isang mag-asawa. Parang may binibili po silang lupa. It turned out, nung nakarating sa kanila yung mag-asawa ay wala naman po nare-receive na pera dito sa company, kung saan incorporator si Gen. Guyguyon," she said.

"At nang ito ay kanilang iparating sa kompanya ay inisyuhan sila ng tseke. However, yung tseke na in-issue ng company ay tumalbog,” she continued.

Reading the background of the case, Fajardo told reporters that the complaint went thru preliminary investigation. Guyguyon, however, allegedly was not informed of the preliminary investigation and did not receive any summons that would have allowed him to answer the allegations.

Fajardo said Guyguyon will remain at the custody of the CIDG RFO while awaiting the return of the warrant to the court.

The PNP spokesperson said their chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., has been informed of the development and has issued a relief order for Guyguyon.

Brig. Gen. Gil Tria was designated Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of PRO-BARMM.

Tria is the Deputy Regional Director for Administration of PRO-BARMM.