BACOLOD City – Eleven large-scale estafa charges have been filed against Councilor Donato Dumaguit of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Mary Jun delos Santos in connection with an alleged Philippine National Police (PNP) recruitment scam.
Major Nelson Amsiwen Jr., the La Castellana police chief, mentioned they are gathering additional sworn affidavits from 35 more complainants, in line with a directive from Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan.
Amsiwen also noted that the police have been searching for Dumaguit, whose current whereabouts are unknown.
The councilor previously confirmed he was in hiding due to claims of a plot against his life. However, he emphasized he would surrender once Delos Santos is located and apprehended.
At least 47 individuals have approached law enforcement agencies for assistance. They alleged that they were deceived into paying P300,000 each with promises of employment in the PNP.
Delos Santos is also accused of offering secure positions in other law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
In the meantime, Councilor Leonardo Bacquian, the Sangguniang Bayan committee on rules chair, stated that they have already dispatched a letter to Dumaguit regarding his repeated absence from regular sessions.
Bacquian highlighted that Dumaguit has missed one special and four regular sessions since news of the PNP recruitment scam broke.
The committee reminded Dumaguit that, as per the town council’s internal rules and procedures and Section 15 of Republic Act 7160, a government official with consecutive unexcused absences might face sanctions.
A councilor can be reprimanded or asked to account for his or her absence during the sessions. These penalties also encompass evaluating the reasons behind the absences.
Nonetheless, if the absences continue, the councilor could be charged with “dereliction of duty.”
Bacquian clarified that if the absences persist, the committee of the whole would convene to decide on the next course of action.
The National Police Commission in Western Visayas, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, and the National Bureau of Investigation are all delving into the alleged scam. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
