Report: Fake priest falls in Iloilo City
- January 12, 2011
A fake priest who preyed on local Catholics and seafarers was arrested while celebrating what turned out to be his last “Mass” in Iloilo City on Tuesday.
Radio dzBB’s Iloilo affiliate reported on Wednesday that the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Charlie Fontanilla, 41, while saying “Mass” at a victim’s house along Ledesma Street, Iloilo City.
Seized from him were a container of holy water and solicitation letters for his so-called charities.
The report said the NBI is also investigating Fontanilla for allegedly offering seafarers jobs in New Zealand and collecting recruitment fees from them.
The initial investigation showed Fontanilla’s victims included local trader James Feliciano, who had him say Mass at his Internet café and house at least five times.
Fontanilla managed to collect some P5,000 from Feliciano, the report said.
It was only when a friend recognized the “priest” and informed Feliciano that the trader tipped off the NBI. The NBI in turn conducted a sting operation.
A consultation with the Jaro Archdiocese showed that there was no priest by that name.
On the other hand, the NBI said it is looking into Fontanilla’s alleged involvement in illegal recruitment activities in 2005 and 2009, when he supposedly victimized seafarers bound for New Zealand.
The fake priest now faces charges of swindling and usurpation of authority.
MORE: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/210355/report-fake-priest-falls-in-iloilo-city
