Fake Embassy exec held for car theft
A 42-YEAR-OLD Sudanese national found to be posing as a staff of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the country Monday afternoon was arrested by agents of the National Capital Region Field Unit of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on car theft charges, officials said yesterday.
Badreldin Elzaki Elhabbib, resident of 7 Purok 6, Pinsao Pilot Project in Baguio City was caught in an entrapment operation inside the Makati Square Parking Lot in Makati City past 5 p.m. Monday, said CIDG-NCRFU chief, Colonel Hansel M. Marantan.
The arrest was prompted by a complaint from a British national identified as Ruben Clark and his wife regarding an alleged carnapping incident , said Col. Marantan in a report to PNP-CIDG director, Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee.
The suspect allegedly rented a Ford Everest from the couple but later reneged on their terms of condition and payment and failed to return the vehicle. The SUV was recovered by the CIDG-NCRFU operatives during the sting.
Officers also found out that he suspect allegedly has a pending arrant of arrest for violation of Batas Pambansa 22 or the anti-bouncing check law. The warrant was issued by Judge Bernard P. Bernal of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 on April 25, 2016.
When arrested, the Sudanese national yielded an identification card purportedly issued by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. One of the IDs identified him as a ‘Health Office Consultant’ while another described him as an ‘Attache’ of the Royal Embassy.
The suspected fake ‘Diplomatic Identity Card’ purportedly issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs called on all Philippine authorities to ‘respect the diplomatic status of the person’ and give him appropriate courtesies. It was issued on December 8, 2012.
However the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia issued an official certification that the accused is not in any way connected to their diplomatic mission.
“We were informed that numerous unsuspecting individuals were fraudulently led to believe by the suspect that he is acting with authority from the embassy. For that reason, we would like to commend the efforts of our police officers in conducting an entrapment operation which led to the arrest of Mr. Badreldin,” said the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in a letter signed by its lawyer’s office, Attorney Vincent B. Magistrado.
A social media investigation conducted by the CIDG-NCRFU showed that the accused is a Sudanese football team captain who plays the position of central midfielder.
The suspect will be facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Law and usurpation of authority which is punishable under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, said Col. Marantan.
“We are calling on all other people duped or victimized by the suspect to come to our office and file formal charges against him. We need their help in putting to jail this African national who has been unmasked as a fake Saudi Arabia Embassy official and using his fake credentials to gyp unsuspecting people of their hard-earned money and other savings,” the official said.
