Town official tagged in ‘cop hiring scam’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A councilor in La Castellana, Negros Occidental has been linked to a “police recruitment scam,” which reportedly victimized 45 applicants, authorities said yesterday.

In a press briefing at the municipal hall, La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan said the victims allegedly paid P247,000 to P300,000 each for them to be accepted in the police service, even as they are not qualified and eligible.

Aside from the councilor, two police officers are being investigated for their alleged involvement in the scam, said Mangilimutan, who is a former police officer.

Among the victims are two residents of Bacolod City, six of Moises Padilla and 37 of La Castellana, Mangilimutan said.

In a letter, Maj. Nelson Amsiwen Jr., officer-in-charge of the La Castellana police, informed Mangilimutan that 41 complainants have filed a complaint against Councilor Donato Dumaguit and a certain Mary Jun delos Santos.

The suspects reportedly offered to facilitate the victims’ applications at the Philippine National Police in exchange for cash.

Citing testimonies of the witnesses, Mangilimutan said Dumaguit was accompanied by two police officers in collecting money from the applicants.

Amsiwen said they are collating all the complaints of the victims for the filing of proper charges in court.

Although police investigators have the names of the lawmen implicated in the scam, Amsiwen said further investigation is needed to determine their involvement.

Mangilimutan said she asked Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor, Western Visayas police director, to look into the matter.

Gary Marvel, 35, one of the complainants, said he paid P200,000 in three tranches. He said the money was personally received by Dumaguit.

Marvel, who applied in March, said he was promised that all the requirements would be taken care of before the oathtaking and training.

The victims said they were promised that they could take their PNP oath on July 2 in Kabankalan City.

They said they paid P25,000 more for their uniforms, and board and lodging in Kabankalan.