“Intaray na bayad ti Lettuce?” 38-yr.-old man accused of running off with over ₱30k worth of harvest payment

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A 38-year-old man is accused of harvesting lettuce from a garden without the owner’s knowledge and then disappearing with a payment estimated at more than ₱30,000.

Lorenzo Subli Marcos, in an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, said the incident occurred on August 17, 2026, although he only made the matter public on August 25.

Marcos said his cousin, Merly Subli Taypew, the owner of the garden, had an arrangement with the man for the supply and harvesting of lettuce. The accused has not been named by Marcos pending possible filing of a case.

Under their agreement, Marcos said payment was supposed to be made before the lettuce was harvested. He said they had previously entered into similar transactions with the same person, which led them to trust him.

However, Marcos alleged that the arrangement was not followed when the man reportedly harvested the lettuce without informing them.

Garden left empty

Taypew later asked Marcos to check their lettuce garden in Barangay Dontogan, Sitio Macao, in Baguio City, where the crops were supposed to be harvested.

Upon arriving, Marcos said he was shocked to discover that there was no lettuce left.

“Idi napan kami idiay garden iti Brgy. Dontogan, Sitio Macao, ket awan metten ti mula nga makurta koma. Ita, naamwan mi nga awanen dagiti gamitna idiay campo.”

Marcos said they later learned that the lettuce had allegedly been harvested without their knowledge.

He alleged that the produce was subsequently supplied or sold and that the payment was received by the person involved instead of being turned over to the garden owner.

The amount involved was estimated at more than ₱30,000, according to Marcos.

‘Took advantage of our trust’

Marcos said their previous transactions with the same person contributed to their decision to trust him again.

He said they agreed to supply the lettuce because they wanted to help, but alleged that the person took advantage of their trust.

“Sinuplayan me tapno matulongan nem ti dakes na dakame ti niloko na ken tinmaray nga inala na jay bayad ti nateng.”

Marcos said they had given the person an opportunity because they genuinely wanted to help.

“Pinag bigyan mi lang ta ayat mi nga makatulong, awan latta ta dinadael nan panag talek mi.”

He said the incident left them facing not only financial losses but also a breakdown of trust built through their previous dealings.

‘Return the money’

Marcos appealed to the person involved to return the lettuce payment, saying the money could still help sustain the operation of their garden.

“Maisubli na lang kuma jay bayad ti nateng ta adda ma aramat manen nga ma usar ti garden han na metlang ibaknang ti panang luko na ti kadwa na uray kuma no insubmit na pay bayad ti nateng na ta nag total tapno ma ala na bingay na.”

Marcos also mentioned another supplier whose payment was allegedly received by the same person before he reportedly left.

“Bingay mam kuma ngem jay ni ... nga suply ni nsan ko na awat na jay bayad ti nateng na santo tinmaray en.”

According to Marcos, they have been unable to contact the person since the alleged incident.

He appealed to the individual to return the money and settle the matter, particularly because their previous transactions had been built on trust.

NOTE: The accused could not be reached for comment, according to Marcos, and his side of the story was not available as of publication. His side of the story will be published soon as he responds to the accusation.

This article has been updated at 3.30PM, August 27, 2027 at the request of the Mr. Marcos. The address of the suspect was removed as he and authorities are yet to confirm whether or not the accused is residing in the municipality mentioned in the earlier version.