DAVAO del Sur 2nd District Provincial Board Member Arvin "Jun Blanco" Malaza and his seven alleged cohorts were transferred to the Digos City Police Office (DCPO) Friday night, October 4, after the City Prosecutor's Office indicted them for syndicated estafa.

The seven others accused are Romeo Laugo, Audie Barsalote Jr., Jezreil Beray, Wendy Samson, Giselle Corpuz, Jake Louie Diez and Irish Dayanap.

No bail was recommended. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has yet to designate Malaza’s replacement in the Provincial Board.

According to the resolution, the suspects were indicted for syndicated estafa based on Section 315 of the Revised Penal Code.

They were also charged with violation of Republic Act 8799, or Securities Regulation Code, and RA 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

It can be recalled that the suspects were arrested when members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) went to the office of the Kapa Worldwide Association located at the compound of Muews Radio Digos, which is allegedly owned by Malaza last September 16, 2019 after receiving information that Kapa is allegedly receiving “pay-ins” anew. Malaza denied the allegations.

Before the suspects were detained, they underwent medical checkup at the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital. (Orlando B. Dinoy)