By JC BELLO RUIZ
Agents of the newly formed Franchise Enforcement Group (FEG) of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have arrested a woman suspected of selling fake franchises right inside the LTFRB’s headquarters on East Avenue, Quezon City.
During a press conference yesterday, LTFRB Chairman Thompson Lantion identified the suspect as Elizabeth Emaden Ignes, 37, and a resident of 678 Pedro Cruz St., Angono, Rizal.
Lantion said FEG operatives collared Ignes the other day at around 5 p.m. while she was inside the LTFRB compound.
The LTFRB chief said the FEG agents arrested Ignes based on the formal complaints filed by the suspect’s latest victims identified as Noli Villanueva, 46, of Pandacan, Manila; Isauro delos Santos, 52, of Tala, Caloocan City; Mary Ann Borriwaga-Ureta, 41, of Domingo St., Pasay City; and Ma. Lourdes Castañeda-Domingo, 29, of Nangka Road, Marikina City.
The four victims said fake FX franchises were sold to them by the suspect for R75,000 each.
Lantion said ten more victims of Ignes have filed complaints against the suspect upon learning her arrest.
Ignes has been turned over to the Quezon City Police District Office in Camp Karingal, Quezon City.
Charges for large-scale estafa are expected to be filed against Ignes because of the number of victims she allegedly duped, FEG agents said.
The FEG, composed of Department of Transportation and Communications Action Center agents, was recently formed to deal with violations concerning public utility vehicle franchises.
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