The Department of Justice secured the conviction of a guest at a Batangas beach resort for estafa.

In a six-page Decision, the Regional Trial Court of Balayan, Batangas - Branch XI sentenced Marvin James Tolentino to an indeterminate penalty of from four years and two months of prision correccional to 20 years of reclusion temporal and to pay Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort the amount of P490,000.

The Office of the Provincial Prosecutor (OPP) of Batangas was able to prove during trial that Tolentino stayed at said resort for 38 days. During his long stay, Tolentino obtained food, refreshment and T-shirt, and also had foot massage, manicure and pedicure services. However, Tolentino failed to pay his bill.

Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas commended OPP-Batangas for the successful prosecution of the case, and, at the same time, advised vacationers “to enjoy the summer season at resorts but be mindful of their obligations and pay their bills so as not to face criminal sanctions.”