COTABATO CITY — A 31-year-old businesswoman accused of posing as both a police officer and a lawyer was arrested Tuesday night at a checkpoint in Delta Bridge, Cotabato City, following multiple complaints linking her to carnapping, estafa, violation of BP 22, and usurpation of authority.
The suspect, identified as Sheehan Taruc Caracol, single and a resident of Malabang, Lanao del Sur, was intercepted by personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station (DOS MPS) led by Lt. Col. Esmael A. Madin during an intensified checkpoint operation.
Police said Caracol introduced herself as a member of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and claimed to be a licensed lawyer. When asked to present any valid identification, she allegedly failed to show a single legitimate ID, prompting officers to bring her to the station for verification. She was later placed under arrest.
Recovered from the suspect was a fake check worth ₱495,000 and a gray Toyota Vios with plate number NDA 8227, a vehicle earlier reported as allegedly taken through fraudulent means.
Authorities confirmed that the vehicle was the subject of a complaint filed on November 20, 2025 by alias Kel, a buy-and-sell operator from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. According to the victim, Caracol had introduced herself as a CIDG operative and a lawyer and used a ₱495,000 check to acquire the vehicle. Five days later, the check was discovered to be bogus after bank verification.
The victim immediately reported the incident to the DOS MPS and sought assistance from his legal counsel, Atty. Asgar Mandal, as well as Lt. Col. Madin. Police units under Regional Office BAR swiftly coordinated to track down the suspect.
Caracol was intercepted around 10:30 p.m. at Delta Bridge, leading to her arrest with the help of various units under Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR).
The suspect is now detained at the police station while authorities prepare to file cases for carnapping, estafa, BP 22 violation, and usurpation of authority.
Police said additional charges may be filed pending further investigation.