BACOLOD City – The primary person of interest in the alleged police recruitment scam in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, is also suspected of offering entry into other law enforcement agencies besides the Philippine National Police (PNP).
One of the 47 victims of the scam, a 24-year-old female, appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Bacolod City yesterday morning to file a formal complaint against a certain Mary Jun Delos Santos.
The complainant, who requested not to be named, claimed she got to know Delos Santos through La Castellana councilor Donato Dumaguit and was offered assistance in entering the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The complainant recounted that she was repeatedly contacted by the alleged recruiter in June for a down payment of P121,000. During the transaction, Delos Santos was accompanied by a PNP member, according to the complainant.
However, when La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan learned of the alleged recruitment, according to the complainant, she was told to say that the recruits would be admitted to other law enforcement agencies such as the PCG, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
This paper tried to reach the public information officer of the Coast Guard District Western Visayas, but they have yet to respond.
Meanwhile, National Police Commission-Western Visayas regional director Atty. Joseph Celis said they will send someone to Negros Occidental to conduct a probe.
Town councilor denies link
In a separate radio interview, Dumaguit denied having a hand in the alleged recruitment.
The councilor claimed he only got acquainted with Delos Santos during a visit to a coffee shop in the town’s Barangay Cabagnaan. There, he was informed that the latter could assist in the PNP admission process.
A week later, Dumaguit said an applicant approached him, but he referred the person to Delos Santos.
The councilor also claimed the applicant talked with Delos Santos on the phone; Delos Santos allegedly requested a fee.
Delos Santos then told the applicant to leave the money with Dumaguit.
Believing he was helping and doing his part as a “public servant,” the government official claimed he only received the payment.” (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
