MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) are digging deeper into the activities of Rosel Jacosalem Peñas, the victim-turned-suspect female companion of actress Pilar Pilapil, after it received several information, including a complaint that she took some valuables from a former employer.

Police had earlier said that Peñas has no criminal record but Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao, CIDG director, said a woman called his office to complain that Peñas was her former househelp who allegedly took some valuables.

“Someone called us up, a prospective complainant for qualified theft, who said that she was allegedly robbed by Rosel of assorted jewelry, cash, and other personal valuables,” said Pagdilao in a press briefing.

“She said that he hired Rosel as househelp in their house somewhere in Metro Manila two years ago and she suddenly disappeared with her cash and jewelry. She said that she recognized Rosel when she saw her pictures in the newspapers,” he added.

Pagdilao, however, refused to divulge the name of the woman, saying they are waiting for her to file the complaint.

“There may be several other complainants against Rosel, and they are welcome here in CIDG. We will assist them in filing cases against her,” said Pagdilao.

What further convinced police investigators that Peñas has long been engaged in criminal activities was when they found out that the latter actually bought for P480,000 the Kia Carens she used to pick up Pilapil on April 14.

This, as police already met with the registered owner of the light beige-colored Kia Carens (CIZ-888), Romy dela Cuesta, who told the CIDG probers that he already sold the vehicle to a buy-and-sell agent.

Based on the deed of sale shown by Dela Cuesta, Pagdilao said Peñas bought the Kia Carens on January 10, 2011 but has not registered it so far at the Land Transportation Office.

Where Peñas got the money to buy the car, considering that she is jobless, is now the subject of the investigation, said Pagdilao.

Peñas was declared as a principal suspect in the robbery and the attempt to kill Pilapil on April 14 when police discovered at the course of the investigation that she set up the actress for easy money. Police said Pilapil was robbed of at least P20,000 worth of cash and assorted jewelry.

The composite sketch of one the two male cohorts of Peñas fit the description of a member of a carjacking syndicate operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Colorful past

Pagdilao said Peñas has a colorful past which she had successfully hidden even to her ex-husband Nelson Peñas, the brother of Pilapil’s husband Bernie.

During an interview, Pagdilao said that Nelson was shocked to find out all the stories that his ex-wife concocted when she preyed on Pilapil, including her alleged employment at the Unilever Philippines and that she had just arrived from Australia.

“There was an expression of disbelief on him (Nelson), with all these facts, he began to realize that he really does not know Rosel,” said Pagdilao.

The official said Nelson even revealed that he began suspecting something about Rosel when he discovered when they were still together an identification card bearing the picture of Rosel but a different name printed on it.

Rosel was earlier reported missing but police said she was spotted driving the Kia Carens a few hours after Pilapil was dropped off in a grassy vacant lot in Antipolo City.