Ex-priest arrested in Cebu for alleged swindling

A former priest was arrested in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province on Monday for an alleged swindling case.

Police served an arrest warrant on former priest Ronald Bitor in Barangay Pusok, GMA Cebu's Chona Carreon reported Tuesday.

Bitor was accused of borrowing jewelry but not paying for the items.

"Yung mga nag-order ng maraming mga alahas tapos hindi na ibalik sa kanyang kinuhanan ng mga alahas yung bayad. Base sa aming investigation, aabot ito sa P20 million," said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 regional officer Senior Superintendent Richie Posadas.

Bitor and his wife Irish had been the subjects of complaints by people claiming they would issue bouncing checks to pay for jewelries they borrowed.

A bank had also accused the former priest of failing to pay some P800,000 in debts.

However, Bitor said he was the victim of such transactions, though he did not elaborate. He also said he is not running away from the complainants.

"I will not deny na there’s a transaction but when it comes to the details may mga question doon, why? Why is it na nagkaganon ang klase ng transaction? But I will not divulge this time but later I will divulge everything, okay?" he said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News