ILOILO City – Scammers are namedropping Guimaras governor Samuel Gumarin to dupe resorts in the island province.
Don’t be fooled, Gumarin warned resorts yesterday.
These scammers would make reservations and even ask for cellphone loads, said Gumarin.
The governor knew of the scam just this Monday from the management of Majic Island resort in Nueva Valencia town that made verifications regarding food and accommodation reservations that the official supposedly made via phone.
Gumarin said he eventually discovered that other resorts and businesses in Guimaras had experiences similar to Majic Island’s.
Someone pretending to be him asked for P12,000 worth of cellphone load from Lemin Pharmacy in the town of Jordan, he said.
“I would like to inform all resorts and other establishments in Guimaras that I am not asking for cellphone loads. Also, if I make food or room reservations in resorts, I have a personnel transacting in person and not through phone call,” said Gumarin.
An official statement from the Guimaras provincial government read, “The Provincial Government of Guimaras or Gov. Samuel Gumarin have not authorized any individual to solicit or ask favors in any resorts and other establishments in the island be it in form of cell phone load or free food and accommodation. Any call/text message that you may receive asking for favors using the name of the Provincial Government of Guimaras or the Governor, is a scam.”
For establishments that may encounter these situations, “kindly verify with the Provincial Government of Guimaras through 09457850203 or public.information_guimaras@yahoo.com.ph or report it to proper authorities,” the statement further read.
Guimaras police director Colonel Hector Maestral said an investigation has been launched./PN
