Actor Ricardo Cepeda nabbed by police for syndicated estafa

Ricardo Cepeda. Image from Instagram / @richardcepedago

MANILA, Philippines — Police said on Sunday, October 8, that authorities in Caloocan City had arrested actor Ricardo Cepeda Go for syndicated estafa.

According to police, the actor was arrested by authorities on Saturday, October 7.

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Syndicated estafa is a non-bailable offense under Art. 315, (2) (a) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1689, and carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment, once proven beyond reasonable doubt that “the swindling (estafa) is committed by a syndicate consisting of five or more persons formed with the intention of carrying out the unlawful or illegal act, transaction, enterprise or scheme.”

According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), operatives of its Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) collared Cepeda on Saturday around 11 a.m. in a resto-bar along Mabini St, Maypajo.

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Cepeda’s arrest stemmed from an arrest warrant issued by a Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge. Aside from the actor, several others who were supposedly complicit to the crime were also subject of a manhunt.

No other details were provided on the case.

The 58-year-old actor is currently under QCPD’s custody.

Cepeda is the long-time partner of former model-turned-actress Marina Benipayo. He is the former husband of veteran actres Snooky Serna, with whom he has two children. EDV