2 nabbed for soliciting funds for BBM-Sara

MANILA, Philippines (Updated February 3, 9:46 a.m.) — Two officials of a non-government organization (NGO) were apprehended in Quezon City on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting campaign donations using the names of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Rolly Balazon, 53, and Reynaldo Llorin, 64, vice president and facilitator, respectively, of Bangon Bagong Marhalika were arrested by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at their office in Barangay San Bartolome.

Two other officials of the NGO allegedly involved in the scheme, executive vice president Isidro Sososco and Ma. Buen Castillo, the group’s treasurer who is running for councilor of San Jose in Dinagat Islands, are still being tracked down by police.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who heads the CIDG’s National Capital Region field office, said they conducted an entrapment operation based on a complaint from a donor, who alleged that the suspects solicited money in support of Marcos and Carpio’s tandem.

“The complainant was made to believe that the group was legitimate and gave monetary donations,” Silvio said.

The suspects claimed they were affiliated with Marcos’ presidential campaign and the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).

The complainant became suspicious after the suspects asked for more donations.

When the complainant informed the BBM-Sara Uniteam, Marcos’ spokesman Victor Rodriguez notified the CIDG about the scam.

Balazon and Llorin were placed under arrest after they accepted the marked money from the complainant.

Police said they confiscated a BBM-Sara Uniteam campaign fund letter, various solicitation letters, a tarpaulin bearing the images of Marcos and Carpio, KBL forms, lists of business establishments as well as mayors and candidates in the upcoming elections, and donated clothes.

The suspects are being held on charges of estafa and violation of Presidential Decree 1564 or the Solicitation Permit Law.