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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider 3 police officials, 10 other cops cleared of syndicated estafa charges in GenSan

3 police officials, 10 other cops cleared of syndicated estafa charges in GenSan

Published Oct 16, 2020 05:13 pm

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Justice (DOJ) City Prosecution Office in General Santos City has dismissed the syndicated estafa case against three top police officials and 10 other police personnel.

Lawyer Nena Santos told The Manila Bulletin that the prosecution found a lack of probable cause against her clients.

“The allegations were not true,” said Santos, adding that the accused police officers were falsely accused as the ones allegedly running an investment scam.

Thus, on August 10, the DOJ’s City Prosecution Office granted the motions for reconsideration filed by Lt. Col. Henry Biñas of Police Regional Office-12,then General Santos City police chief Col. Raul Supiter,  P/Cpl.  Daisy Babe Javierto, P/Master Sergeant Ernie Semino, Cheryl Semino and non-uniformed personnel Elizabeth Isidto.

“Hence, complaints against them for syndicated estafa should be dismissed for lack of probable cause,” read the DOJ resolution.      

Santos said they received the copy of the resolution on September 16.
 
While on September 30, the prosecution office also granted the motions for reconsideration filed by Police Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., P/Major Patrich Elma, P/Cpl. Precious Pilones, Liza Jane Prieto, Wiena Dablo and Rowena Muyga. 

The resolution, which was received by Santos on October 14, also dismissed the complaints of syndicated estafa for lack of probable cause.  

It can be recalled that the police officers were relieved from their posts in March last year over an alleged investment scam that victimized hundreds of police officers.

However, Santos said the prosecution had also debunked the name of the investment scam known in the region as PPM or Pulis Paluwagan Movement.

Through documentary evidence, she said they were able to prove that PPM was actually the acronym for Plan Pro Matrix (PPM) based on documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

This showed that the Pulis Paluwagan Movement did not really exist.

The lawyer further bared that the investment scam was able to collect about P379 million from police officers. “The persons behind this scam like Mark George Naval and Shiela Agustin were the ones who allegedly took the bulk of the money,” she said.

Thus, the prosecution found probable cause to charge Naval, Agustin and several others with syndicated estafa on their alleged involvement in the investment scam.

In March this year, a local court issued a warrant of arrest against Naval, Agustin and their staff. Included in the warrant of arrest were two police officers Police Master Sgt. Roderick Ringon and Police Staff Sgt. Manolo Landig. No bail was recommended.  

Moreover, Santos said that the allegations against her clients have destroyed the careers of the police officers.  

She bared that the local government of General Santos City has even withdrawn all the awards and recognition given to Supiter.

“Kung sila ang namumuno, mag invest ka pa? Di ba dapat mag antay ka nalang? They are just the fall guys,” Santos concluded. 

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