PNP flags increase in cases of individuals posing as DPWH execs

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. flagged a reported increase in cases involving individuals allegedly impersonating Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials.

In a statement on Thursday, Nartatez said he had ordered the agency to launch a thorough investigation into the purported scheme.

“The DPWH has reported a rising number of similar cases nationwide, where individuals falsely present themselves as agency personnel to gain access to projects and vulnerable communities,” Nartatez explained.

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READ: 2 nabbed for posing as DPWH personnel in Davao City

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He did not immediately provide the data on the supposed cases.

Nonetheless, the PNP chief said, “All concerned police units have been instructed to coordinate closely with other law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest those behind the scheme.”

This came after the PNP–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two women for allegedly posing as DPWH Central Office personnel conducting a “surprise and confidential inspection” at the department’s Davao City office last Sunday.

The two suspects were supposedly conducting the inspection “to assess the damage… caused by the recent earthquake,” according to the CIDG.

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However, the DPWH Central Office certified to the CIDG that neither suspect was a DPWH employee.

“There is a special place in hell for these people who take advantage of the situation in Mindanao for their personal gains,” Nartatez stressed.

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“But right now, our focus is to identify all of them and haul them off to jail,” he added. /jpv

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