- GILBERT BAYORAN
A councilor of La Castellana in Negros Occidental has been linked to “police recruitment scam”, victimizing 45 individuals and collecting at least P15 million, as reported by Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan.
In a press briefing at the municipal hall, Mangilimutan said the victims paid amounts ranging from P247,000 to as much as P300,000 each, for them to enter the police service, even if they are not qualified, and do not have eligibility.
Of the victims, two are residents of Bacolod City, six from Moises Padilla, and 37 from La Castellana, Mangilimutan, herself a former police officer, said.
P/Maj. Nelson Amsiwen Jr., officer-in-charge of the La Castellana Police Station, has informed the mayor that 41 complainants appeared at the police station and lodged a complaint against Councilor Donato Dumaguit, alias Nat Nat, and a certain Mary Jun delos Santos, who offered to facilitate their applications with the PNP, in exchange for money.
Based on the testimonies of witnesses, Mangilimutan said her investigations indicated that Dumaguit was accompanied by two policemen in collecting money from PNP applicants.
Amsiwen said they are now getting all the complaint-affidavits of the victims to ensure airtight cases against the accused.
While they already have the names of the policemen who are being linked to the scam, Amsiwen said they are conducting further investigations to determine their level of involvement.
Mangilimutan said she has requested P/Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor, regional police director of Western Visayas, to intervene on the case.
“The victims seek justice and redress for their grievous experience, and it is our collective duty to ensure that justice prevails,” the mayor stressed.
“I implore you to expedite the investigation process, deploying all necessary resources and expertise to uncover the truth behind these allegations,” Mangilimutan said in her letter to Villaflor.
Gary Marvel, 35, one of the victim-complainants, said he paid P200,000 in three tranches, that was personally received by Councilor Dumaguit but without any receipt.
Marvel, who applied in March this year, added that the amount he paid was “package deal”, as he was assured that all the requirements will be taken care of, before the oathtaking and training.
Mangilimutan disclosed that some of the complainants filed blotter reports with a police station in Bacolod but they were told by Dumaguit not to include him.
The complainants said they were advised by the Bacolod police to file the complaint in La Castellana, where the crime was allegedly committed.
“My administration does not tolerate any illegal act even if they are my relatives or political allies,” the mayor stressed, adding that Dumaguit even used a government vehicle in his transactions.
Based on the testimonies of the victims, they would have taken oath July 2 in Kabankalan City, after paying P25,000 more for their board and lodging as well as uniforms, Mangilimutan said.
She recalled that it was in April this year that she was informed by Mae Diamante of NAPOLCOM about the collection of money, allegedly by Dumaguit, from applicants for them to enter the PNP.
When she confronted Dumaguit, Mangilimutan said the councilor initially denied it. However, while she was in The Netherlands, the mayor said Dumaguit called her and asked for her help to convince the complainants not to implicate him.
But Mangilimutan said she told Dumaguit that she will not help him since he is up against the police organization, that she used to belong to.
“It is the integrity of the PNP application that you have destroyed,” the mayor told Dumaguit./GPB
