POLICE operatives at the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office arrested two individuals who were selling fake land titles to a complainant yesterday afternoon.

Police Maj. Julius Saluta, Police Station 2 commander, identified the suspects as Jay Dablio aka ‘Raul Maula,’ 29, single, a resident of Purok 6, Barangay Jimaylan, Libertad, Misamis Oriental, and his cohort Tomas Gaspe, kaka ‘Rodrigo Maula,’ 55, married and residing at Sitio Macapaya, Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Another companion of the suspects identified only as a certain Allan Ching aka ‘Insik’ is still at large after he was able to evade the pursuing authorities.

Saluta said the entrapment happened at 6:50 pm at Sitio Taguanao of the said Barangay.

Saluta said his team was with the complainant (identity is withheld as requested) when the said operation was conducted.

“Si Dablio ug si Jimaylan maoy nagpakig transact sa complainant kay duna daw lagi sila ibaligya nga yuta nga ang kadak-on 1.8 hectares ug nagkantidad og P1 million,” Saluta said.

The raiding group brought “budol” money and genuine P10,000 cash to be handed over to the suspects supposedly in exchange for a Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT).

But upon sensing that it was entrapment, the suspects tried to escape but they were already rounded up by Saluta’s group.

The two suspects were riding a motorcycle while Ching was in a white Toyota Vios with plate number AUV 7474.

During the arrest, Ching was able to drive fast away from the scene.

A chase occurred between Ching and the pursuing policemen but the former was able to elude arrest. The police lost his trail upon reaching the intersection of Sitio Aluba.

Seized from the suspects were the fake TCT and the P10,000 entrapment money.

The motorcycle used by the suspects has been impounded.

Saluta said the suspects were the same persons responsible for the previous transactions of selling five fake TCTs in the amount of P7.5 million.

Suspects are now temporarily detained at Maharlika Custodial Facility awaiting case filing for estafa and swindling.