More charges filed vs suspects in PNP ‘hiring scam’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Eleven complaints of large-scale estafa have so far been filed against a municipal councilor in Negros Occidental and his alleged cohort tagged in a recruitment scam that reportedly victimized 47 aspiring police officers.

This developed after three more complaints were filed late last week against La Castellana Councilor Donato Dumaguit and a certain Mary June delos Santos before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Earlier, eight complaints were filed against the respondents, according to Capt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesman for the Negros Occidental police.

Catalogo said three more similar complaints would be filed today.

Among the complainants is a teacher, whom Delos Santos reportedly promised entry into the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in exchange for a cash payment.

The teacher said Dumaguit helped Delos Santos recruit applicants to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as the PCG.

The victims reportedly paid the suspects P247,000 to P300,000 in exchange for their “smooth entry“ into the PNP.

The teacher-complainant said she paid P121,000 to Delos Santos.

Dumaguit denied the allegations, saying he is ready to face the charges.

He said that he himself was a victim, but he did not give details.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service is reportedly investigating the involvement of four policemen and non-uniformed personnel in the scam.