Mindanao earthquake: PNP steps up hunt vs. fake DPWH personnel

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday intensified operations against individuals posing as personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to scam people in areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered increased police visibility and closer coordination among law enforcement units following reports that scammers have been exploiting disaster-hit communities by pretending to be government inspectors and project evaluators.

“There is a special place in hell for these people who take advantage of the situation in Mindanao for their personal gains,” Nartatez said in a statement. “But right now, our focus is to identify all of them and haul them off to jail.”

READ: Cebu OKs additional ₱25M aid for 4 provinces after Mindanao earthquake

On Sunday, operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two women in Davao City after they allegedly posed as DPWH officials conducting inspections in areas affected by the powerful earthquake that struck Sarangani on June 8.

Investigators said the suspects were allegedly inspecting infrastructure projects and engaging contractors in transactions involving payment approvals.

According to the DPWH, similar cases have been reported in various parts of the country, with individuals falsely presenting themselves as agency personnel to gain access to projects and vulnerable communities.

READ: Infra damage from Sarangani quake tops P1.2 billion

Nartatez said all concerned police units have been directed to coordinate closely with other law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest those behind the scheme.

The move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to maintain peace and order in disaster-affected areas and protect the public from criminal exploitation. (PNA)

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