• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Five more complaints of large-scale estafa have been filed against La Castellana Councilor Donato Dumaguit and his identified cohort in connection with the alleged police recruitment scam that victimized at least 47 applicants in Negros Occidental.
This brought to 16 the number of complaints lodged against the two respondents, said PMaj. Rhojn Darrel Nigos, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.
Nigos said that administrative complaints were also filed against four policemen, whose names appeared in the complaint-affidavits of the victims of the alleged recruitment scam.
The statements of the victims will be used during the pre-charge evaluation to determine if they have committed violations, or if there is a probable cause against them, he added.
“We assure them that it will be a fair, wise move for the Philippine National Police (PNP) organization,” Nigos said, adding that the PNP will help the victims in seeking justice.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. yesterday said he has already submitted a legal opinion to La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhumyla Mangilimutan, who had earlier sought an advice from the provincial government.
Nellas said the Provincial Legal Office gave Mangilimutan two options, with the regards to the disciplinary action to be taken against the erring Sangguniang Bayan member.
As stipulated in the Local Government Code, Nellas said the mayor can file administrative action before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, or refer it to the Sangguniang Bayan since the respondent is subject to the internal rules of the municipal council.
Either the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or the Sangguniang Bayan can take administrative action against the respondent, Nellas said. | GB
