Newly-appointed Assistant Secretary and retired Philippine National Police (PNP) General Eliseo D.C. Cruz took the lead in curbing the brazen selling of fake  land titles in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Upon the directive of Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla to crack down syndicates involved with spurious land titles, Asec Cruz coordinated with the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the PNP.

On 26 April 2024, an entrapment operation was conducted by joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region ((CIDG-NCR)  and the Manila Police District (MPD) which resulted to the arrest of Arnel Cunanan y Monte and Romeo Cabansag y Cañete.

Pursuit operations are still being conducted against the other suspects Perlita Alejo and Guillermo Alejo.

With the proliferation  of fake land titles around, Secretary Remulla strongly urged the public ‘to be wary of these criminal syndicates and to verify first the authenticity of the titles before falling into their ploy.’

“Land acquisition is the greatest way of securing one's future, family and loved ones, hence, defrauding land titles is a very serious offense which should be dealt with very serious consequences.

Sellers of fake titles will feel the full wrath of the law. The country’s economic stability has never been more important as we continue to recover from the Covid19 pandemic. Stop fooling the Filipino people or face the consequences.” Remulla sternly warned.

“File appropriate charges against these arrested suspects,” the Secretary ordered.