BACOLOD City – Around 45 residents sought the help of the La Castellana municipal police in Negros Occidental. They claimed of having been duped into paying huge sums of money to secure entry as officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to the complainants, they were each offered a “package deal” which included eligibility to become members of the PNP in exchange for at least P247,000.
It is estimated the total money involved in this alleged scam reached P15 million.
In a press conference held on Sept. 15, La Castellana’s Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan said the complainants filed separate complaints against Councilor Donato Dumaguit and a certain Mary Jun Delos Santos of Bacolod City.
They also tagged two policemen, added Mangilimutan.
Dumaguit and Delos Santos could not be reached for comment as of this writing, although Dumaguit was said to have already denied the allegation.
La Castellana police chief Major Nelson Amsiwen did not discount the possibility that several active members of the PNP may also be involved.
Some complainant s filed blotter reports at a police station in Bacolod City but were advised to file their complaint in La Castellana instead.
Mayor Mangilimutan, a former policewoman, said she was aware of reports of illegal recruitment as early as April of this year and immediately alerted the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
Napolcom then sent her a list of possible victims, from which the mayor noted that most were children of municipal government employees.
The mayor had written to Police Regional Office 6 director Brigadier Gen. Sidney Villaflor, informing him of the alleged scam and asking for a thorough investigation.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Captain Judesses Catalogo clarified that anyone interested in becoming a police officer should apply personally.
Applicants must secure pertinent documents and undergo neuropsychological and physical examinations.
Catalogo added that those involved in the scam may face charges of estafa, illegal recruitment, and extortion. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
