The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested a man accused of using his "connections" with the First Family in his alleged swindling activities at a five-star hotel in Pasay City on Thursday, Feb. 27.

The PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) identified the suspect as alias “Simeon”, 49, of Brgy. Rosario, Pasig City.

Operatives of the CIDG arrested Simeon, who was even wearing a Barong Tagalog inside the hotel located along Resorts Drive at 4:48 p.m. 

The operation was made by virtue of a warrant of arrest for estafa issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 160 with a recommended bail of P90,000.

“The arrested person is also a subject of several complaints in the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes (OSETC) for allegedly misrepresenting himself to the public that he can facilitate government projects and asking three to five percent commission in advance to lock in the project; and allegedly using the name of the First Family in his dealings,” CIDG director Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said.

The suspect, it turns out, formerly worked as a private employee of the Marcoses. 

To entice his unknowing victims, he would introduce himself as an “undersecretary” at the Cabinet of President Marcos Jr. and convince them that he could manipulate government procurement processes in exchange for commissions, Torre added.

“Let this serve as a lesson to all those who use the name of the First Family for personal gains. Please refrain from doing such acts. Otherwise, you will be caught, and you will be held accountable for your actions,” the CIDG chief noted.