• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Five more complaints of large scale estafa have been filed against La Castellana Councilor Donato Dumaguit and his cohort, in connection with an alleged police recruitment scam that victimized at least 47 aspirants in Negros Occidental.
It brings to 16 the total number of complaints lodged against the councilor and his companion, PMaj. Rhojn Darrel Nigos, newly designated spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, disclosed yesterday.
Nigos further said that administrative complaints were also filed against four policemen whose names appeared in the complaint affidavits of the victims of alleged police recruitment scam.
He said the statements of the victims will be used during the pre-charge evaluation, to determine if they have committed violations, or there is probable cause against them.
We assure that it will be a fair, wise move for the PNP organization, Nigos said.
He assured the victims that the PNP will help them in seeking justice.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. yesterday said that he has already submitted the PLO legal opinion regarding the case of Dumaguit to La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhumyla Mangilimutan, who had sought the advice of the provincial government on the matter.
Nellas said the PLO gave Mangilimutan two options with regard 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 actions before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, or refer to the Sangguniang Bayan, where the respondent is subject to the internal rules of the municipal council.
He added that either the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or the Sangguniang Bayan can take administrative action against the respondent.
On Wednesday, some of the complaints appealed to Dumaguit to return their money.*
