A couple was arrested in Cagayan de Oro for allegedly scamming their wedding suppliers.
According to wedding coordinator Arvil Carrasco, a woman identified as “Riri” reached out to him on Saturday, March 8, 2025, and asked him to arrange her wedding set on Monday, March 10.
Carrasco managed to pull off last-minute preparations and even paid a hotel P75,000 for the reception.
He said he was informed that he would be paid in person because the woman had trouble sending it online. No money arrived.
“Iya daw Daddy naa na daw gisugo nga magpa-deposit sa bangko kay hinay daw kaayo ang online so ila na lang daw i-personal. So mao to, udto, ala una, dos, tres wala gyud,” Carrasco said.
No wedding ceremony transpired on March 10 and the bride also allegedly failed to pay the suppliers, prompting the suppliers to seek for help from the police.
The couple were arrested at the hotel.
The woman said they did not intend to scam their suppliers that included makeup artists, coordinators, event designers, and photo and video editors.
“Wala gyud plan, ikaw gud, klaro naman kayo kay kung gi-plano namo siya dili pud siguro muabot sa ingon ato nga point,” she said.
LOVE SPELL?
In an unexpected twist to the story, the legal counsel of the groom-to-be claimed her client was a victim of the bride-to-be.
This is because reports have surfaced that the man allegedly was under a love spell. He reportedly came to his senses when salt, a supposed antidote, was thrown at him on the scheduled wedding day.
“Mao na dayon ang (ni sablig) sa asin gipahawid sa iyaha ug gibutang sa iyang bulsa then base dayun sa akong coordinator ingon ato naluya daw. Sa akoa opinion nako dili man nuon ko mutuo ana sila ra jud ang (makaingon) ana base rana sa mga storya,” Carrasco said.
The woman denied using a love potion on the man and said they have a legitimate relationship.
She also claimed she is pregnant.
“Kung mutubag ko og dili, dili man gyud sila mutuo. Muna lami kayo mutubag og oo ba para manungog na lang gani sa mga tao nga nalumay na lang gyud nako siya… laliman ka gisablig sabligan og asin kay kung ako ang pabut-on nangita na lang unta ko og mas effective nga dili magsilbi ang asin,” Riri said.
As of Tuesday, March 11, the man’s lawyer said their priority was to have his client released from detention.
“Karon ang amo lang gyud goal is mapagawas si… for releasing naman nuon siya; storyahon pa namo tanan. Among tan-awon tanan legal remedies available,” said Atty. Nielgem Beja.
CHARGES
The police said the couple may face estafa charges and a civil case for breach of contract.
“Pwede nato ma-filan og kaso sa estafa pero didto na sa regular filling. So, mahitabo ani karon ato ning i-release ang maong bride then ato pud gikumbinsi si wedding organizer nga mag-file og kaso,” Cogon Police Station Chief, Major Sabino Labitad, said.
