Socsksargen media groups warn vs bogus journalists

KORONADAL CITY — Two media groups in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (Socsksargen) have issued advisories on the modus operandi of bogus journalists preying on prominent businessmen and police officials.

The Publishers Association in General Santos City and South Cotabato (PAGES) and the PNP Regional Press Corps in Region 12 issued the advisories after they learned that several big-time traders and police officials have been fooled by the fake media people.

In nearby General Santos City, a 55-year-old woman, who claimed to be a reporter of a Manila-based tabloid and a radio station, was held by the police for questioning after a fishing magnate accused her of illegal solicitation.

The reporter allegedly went to the office of Marfin Tan and asked for a donation for the tabloid and the radio station’s medical and dental mission.

Tan reportedly gave P5,000 to the woman, who allegedly was also able to solicit P20,000 from businesswoman Aurora Amagan, owner of A&J Seafoods, and P1,000 from Rodrigo Rivera of RD Fishing Industries.

A call to the radio station revealed that the woman was not an employee.

Tan, however, did not file formal charges against the woman after she returned the money. She was released from police custody last week. 

In a separate statement sent to The STAR, PAGES and the PNP-12 Press Corps said, "There are many of their kind roaming (around) various provinces, towns and cities of Central Mindanao, carrying solicitation and big ‘PRESS’ identification cards."

"Huwag kayo basta magbigay ng pera (Don’t give money right away). Verify first the identity of the solicitors or the persons who claim to be members of the press. Report to us immediately if you will encounter them," said Jeffrey Jubelag, president of the PNP Regional Press Corps.