Actor Ricardo Cepeda arrested for syndicated estafa

Ricardo Cepeda

Updated 4:13 p.m.

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Ricardo Cepeda, whose full name is Ricardo Cepeda Go, was arrested by authorities in Caloocan City for syndicated estafa, police said on Sunday.

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 a spot report of 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. Police said the actor did not resist arrest.

From QCPD headquarters, Cepeda was brought toCamp Karingal for proper documentation.

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Cepeda’s arrest stemmed from an arrest warrant issued by Executive Judge Gemma Bucayu-Madrid of Sanchez Mira, Cagayan Regional Trial Court (RTC). 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 criminal case of the 58-year-old actor.

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