BACOLOD City – Several residents of La Castellana, Negros Occidental who were duped in a recruitment scam are demanding their money back from a town councilor.
Bienvenido Berja Jr. of Barangay Cabagna-an, La Castellana spoke to the media on Sunday, Oct. 15, representing his son Kenneth Marvin and others.
Berja said that he, along with his son Kenneth Marvin and others, personally handed over P247,000 to Councilor Donato Dumaguit.
Kenneth, who holds a BS in Criminology, was assured of improved odds of obtaining a position with the Philippine National Police.
Berja said he sourced the amount by incurring debts, which he is now obligated to repay.
Similarly, a married couple, who requested anonymity, claimed they paid Dumaguit P500,000.
The couple explained their financial strain, saying they had borrowed the amount from relatives and now face added interest.
They also revealed that they, along with nine others, have filed estafa charges against Dumaguit at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Dumaguit has been absent from six regular Sangguniang Bayan (SB) sessions and one special session over the past month due to the ongoing scandal. But he has denied the allegation.
Teodora Sumagaysay, the provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government-Negros Occidental, noted that Dumaguit’s consecutive absences might provide grounds for the La Castellana SB to enforce disciplinary measures./PN
