By Rea Cu and Manuel T. Cayon
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero has warned Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel against still unidentified individuals who are reportedly dropping the name of President Duterte to solicit campaign funds for the upcoming midterm elections in May.
In Davao City, meanwhile, the city government has warned residents to report investment invitations from at least two allegedly fictitious group that encourage people to invest money with the usual promise of giving them back hefty monthly returns.
The Customs Commissioner said he has recently received reports that certain individuals have been duping several private and public-sector entities, including the BOC, with the claim that the President has authorized them to solicit funds for the senatorial candidates he has personally endorsed.
According to Guerrero, “the President [has] never authorized or ordered anyone to solicit money intended for campaign on his behalf,” even as he advised Customs stakeholders to be vigilant and wary of these individuals.
Simplicio Sagarino, chief of the Anti-Scam Unit of the Davao City Hall, said Davao City residents should report to his office “if they have been victimized by any of these schemes.”
“If you have invested money or have been invited to invest, you may report this matter to our office or the Securities and Exchange Commission for appropriate action,” he said.
Sagarino said it received a memorandum from the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office, dated January 26, identifying two organizations, the Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. and Almamico, of “urging people to invest for a bigger cash return of up to 30 percent each month.” Almamico is the Alabel Maasim Small Scale Mining Cooperative.