2 men ‘use Mandaue’ to solicit money, sued

CEBU, Philippines - Two men are facing charges for allegedly soliciting money from several companies using the name of Mandaue City Hall offices.

Emmanuel Ravina, 52, and Jonathan Avelino, 38, both from Pardo, Cebu City, were arrested Friday during an entrapment operation conducted by the Mandaue City Police Office.

According to Supt. Josefino Ligan, chief of the City Intelligence Branch of MCPO, the two were supposed to collect the money they allegedly solicited from Stronghold Glass Corp. located on H. Cortes Street, Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

The MCPO used a marked money of P2,800 during the entrapment operation.

Ligan said an employee of Stronghold called the Office of the City Mayor to verify if there were Eddie Ceniza, Boboy Milan, and Roel Caña working in the City Hall.

Prior to the arrest, Ravina and Avelino sent a letter to the company, saying they were from the Meat Inspection Team of the Office of the City Mayor.

The letter was bearing the logo of the Mandaue City.

In the suspects’ letter, they were soliciting an amount of P5,000 for the third prize for a basketball tournament supposedly hosted by the City Hall in line with the city’s 46th Charter Day celebration.

“We the Mandaue City Hall Inspection Team is launching out Basketball Tournament 2015.

“It is therefore on the light of foregoing that we fell privileged to appeal to your Christian charity and generosity to agree that you be included on the list as one of our sponsors annual basketball tournament 2015 to be held at Mandaue City Sports Complex,” the letter read.

The letter has the names of Eddie Ceniza as chairman; Boboy Milan, co-chairman; and, Roel Caña, secretary, as signatories.

However, based on the certification issued by Atty. James Abadia, City administrator, the three signatories were not in the list of city employees.

In another certification letter, Abadia also noted that “the City Mayor’s Office did not issue any form of solicitation letter for any establishment.”

According to Ligan, Ravina was the one who wrote the letters sent to the companies while Avelino served as the messenger.

Ravina has no work while Avelino is a driver of a motorcycle-for-hire or “habal-habal.”

“Iyang (Ravina) istorya nga kon makakita siya og naa’y mga event, iya na kopyahon. Anha dayon siya makakita og idea nga mangayo og solicitation, mo-demand og P5,000,” Ligan said.

Police said Ravina sent solicitation letters to other companies, including Golden Harvester in Barangay Maguikay, Hi-Speed Construction, Fil Power Group & Marketing Corp. on A.S. Fortuna Street, and Albert Surplus in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

Ligan also said Ravina has been sending solicitation letters for more than a year already.

“Kani si Emmanuel, dugay na ni. One year na kapin. Si Jonathan, bag-o ra ni niya na-recruit,” Ligan said.

According to Ligan, Avelino has started as a messenger of Ravina only a month ago. The former allegedly receives commission after the companies give their contributions.

The FREEMAN tried to ask for Ravina’s statement but he refused to comment on the issue.

Ravina and Avelino are facing charges for violation of Art. 177 of the Revised Penal Code, otherwise known as Usurpation of Official Functions, and Sec. 2 of PD 1564, otherwise known as the Solicitation Permit Law.

Police advised the public that before they give any amount to those who are asking for solicitations, they should verify first the solicitation letters to avoid falling prey to possible swindlers.  (FREEMAN)