Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested a barangay chairman in Jiabong town in Samar and three other barangay officials in connection with the alleged anomaly in the distribution of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz said the case stemmed from the complaints in June 2020 about the anomalies in cash assistance distribution in Barangay Malobago in Jiabong town.
He identified those arrested as Barangay Captain Gilbert Labendia and barangay councilors Corazon Labrague, Oscar Godin and Noemi Romano.
"Based on the information they received from a concerned citizen, Labendia and his three kagawad (councilors) were involved in the splitting of cash assistance received by SAP beneficiaries," said Cruz.
The four were investigated and were eventually charged of a case of violation of Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act (Republic Act 3019).
Cruz said Labendia is also said to be the leader of “Villalinda Group” engaged in Scam, Estafa and other fraudulent acts in Western Samar wherein his co-accused are the alleged members.