“Tinmaray nga inala na jay bayad ti nateng”: Baguio farmer seeks help finding man who allegedly fled with ₱30K lettuce payment

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

BAGUIO CITY — A man is appealing to the public for help in locating a person he identified as someone allegedly named Marvin Borja of Karikitan, Conner, Apayao, and involved in a dispute over more than ₱30,000 in payment for harvested lettuce.

Lorenzo Subli Marcos made the appeal on August 27 after the incident was reported to authorities through a blotter. He said they have been unable to contact Borja since the alleged incident.

Marcos said Borja's name and address were obtained from the identification card he presented during their previous transactions.

The complaint stemmed from an August 17 incident involving a lettuce garden owned by Marcos' cousin, Merly Subli Taypew, in Sitio Macao, Barangay Dontogan, Baguio City.

According to Marcos, Taypew had an arrangement with Borja for the supply and harvesting of lettuce. They had previously conducted similar transactions, which gave them confidence to deal with him again.

Marcos, however, alleged that the lettuce was harvested without Taypew's knowledge.

When they later checked the garden, he said they discovered that the lettuce had already been taken.

Marcos said they subsequently learned that the harvested lettuce had allegedly been supplied or sold and that the payment, estimated at more than ₱30,000, was reportedly received by Borja instead of being turned over to Taypew.

He said their previous dealings with Borja led them to trust him with the transaction.

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

Marcos said they agreed to supply the lettuce because they wanted to help: “Pinag bigyan mi lang ta ayat mi nga makatulong, awan latta ta dinadael nan panag talek mi.”

He is now appealing for the return of the payment, saying the money could still help sustain their garden operation. “Maisubli na lang kuma jay bayad ti nateng ta adda ma aramat manen nga ma usar ti garden,” pleaded Marcos.

Marcos also alleged that Borja had received payment from another supplier before reportedly leaving, explaining that “Bingay mam kuma ngem jay ni ... nga suply ni insan ko na awat na jay bayad ti nateng na santo tinmaray en.”

As of publication, Marcos said they remain unable to contact Borja.

Guru Press Cordillera likewise tried to call Borja through the phone number provided by Marcos but could not be reached for comment. His side of the story was not available at the time of publication, and he is yet to answer the allegations against him.

Marcos is asking anyone who may have information about Borja's whereabouts to coordinate with the appropriate authorities and not take matters into their own hands.