Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has commended the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for the arrest of a suspected scammer caught soliciting money on the pretext of funding her presidential campaign.
NCRPO Chief PMGen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. revealed that a member of the Cerbito-Fernandez Organized Crime Group surrendered following police operations conducted against the group.
The suspect had allegedly misrepresented himself as a certain Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, claiming to would-be victims that he is the assistant administrator of Davao City.
Victims revealed that Domingo was able to raise money by claiming to victims that he had been authorized by Duterte to raise funds for her presidential run in 2022.
The presidential daughter has yet to declare her plans for the 2022 national elections although at least four national political parties have declared support for the city mayor should she decide to run for president.
Danao disclosed that the impostor solicited money using mobile telephone number 09260241365. Victims were asked to deposit their supposed campaign contributions to bank accounts under the names of Kristian Acero, Rezelyn H. Nemenzo or Richard C. Yu.
Mayor Duterte was elated over the swift action taken by the NCRPO in arresting the suspected scammer.
She extended her gratitude to the NCRPO in a statement released by Davao City’s Public Information Office.
Danao disclosed that the illegal operation was busted after the NCRPO received information from Davao City police chief Col. Kirby John B. Kraft about the scam involving individuals posturing as government officials.
Danao said investigation revealed that the group has been operating nationwide and has targeted 209 government officials and businessmen as gathered from the documents seized by the NCRPO operatives.
The operations of the gang extended in many areas in key localities in Batangas, Negros Oriental, Quezon, Laguna, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Leyte and Baguio City.