BACOLOD CITY – Four policemen in this city are being investigated for their alleged involvement in a P15-million Philippine National Police recruitment scam in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
Police Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, in a media interview, said that these policemen surrendered their firearms after they were relieved from their posts pending the investigation.
A Non-Uniformed Personnel assigned to the Bacolod City Police Office was also implicated in the case.
The case broke out after several complainants recently showed up accusing an incumbent official of La Castellana and his female companion of asking a certain amount in exchange for an assured slot in the PNP.
Aliño said he learned that the incident started in 2016. He did not elaborate further while the Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) is conducting an investigation.
“We will not tolerate this,” he said, adding that it’s time that this scam should end.
Aliño said that the burden of proof should come from these personnel so that they can clear their sides.
He said that he will implement whatever the outcome of the investigation.
Police Executive Master Sgt. Randy Bando, officer-in-charge of PIAS, said that they have stopped investigating the case after the BCPO acquired the investigation from them.
Bando said that they have already submitted a report to the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 informing them that they have already ceased from probing the case.
He said they are just awaiting the result of the investigation of the BCPO to enable them to conduct a motu propio investigation if indeed there are police officers who are involved in the incident.
Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental police, said that 11 out of 47 complainants have already filed criminal complaints for large-scale estafa against Councilor Donato “Natnat” Dumaguit and his female companion.
Catalogo said that three more cases will also be filed next week against the two suspects.
Dumaguit was accused of allegedly asking P247,000 from each victim in exchange for an assured slot in the PNP.
The councilor has yet to surface as he fears for his life.