• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Suspects involved in the recruitment of at least 47 aspirants into the police service in Negros Occidental, are also recruiting applicants into the Philippine Coast Guard.
This was revealed yesterday by a 24-year-old licensed teacher who filed a formal complaint against Mary June delos Santos before the National Bureau of Investigation, who promised to facilitate her entry into the Philippine Coast Guard, in exchange for cash.
The victim, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said she was duped into paying a total of P121,000, believing that she will later join the PCG.
Last week, 41 victims of a police recruitment scam also filed complaints against delos Santos and La Castellana Councilor Donato “NatNat” Dumaguit, who managed to collect an estimated P15 million, as reported by Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan.
The National Police Commission and Police Regional Office 6 are currently investigating the alleged recruitment scam.
NAPOLCOM regional director Joseph Celis has assured the victims of the scam that those behind it will be held liable.
Nene, not her real name, also disclosed that delos Santos was escorted by two police officers in collecting the money from her at their residence in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, from June to July this year.
She further disclosed that her boyfriend, who also wanted to join the Coast Guard, was able to pay P59,000 to delos Santos, who is now nowhere to be found.
A La Castellana resident, the victim further claimed that Councilor Dumaguit was helping delos Santos in the recruitment of police and Coast Guard applicants.
The victim further revealed that police aspirants in La Castellana were required to pay P259,000 for entry to the PNP, excluding P25,000 for board and lodging, as well as P27,000 for training materials.
When Mayor Mangilimutan knew of the scam, she said it was discovered that the victims were asked by delos Santos to deny any knowledge of it if she asks about it.
Dumaguit has not been attending the regular session of the La Castellana Sangguniang Bayan for two weeks already, according to Mayor Mangilimutan.*
