La Castellana, Negros Occidental Councilor Donato Dumaguit has been linked to a “police recruitment scam.”
It has victimized 45 local residents, who have collectively paid at least P15 million, according to Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan.
Mangilimutan said the victims paid fees ranging from P247,000 to P300,000 each to join the police force despite not being qualified or eligible. (https://tinyurl.com/4ufuwhru)
Among the victims, two are residents of Bacolod City, six are residents of Moises Padilla, and 37 are residents of La Castellana, the mayor added.
PMaj. Nelson Amsiwen Jr., officer-in-charge of the La Castellana Police Station, said 41 individuals lodged a complaint against Dumaguit, alias Nat Nat, and a certain Mary Jun delos Santos, who offered to facilitate their applications to the Philippine National Police in exchange for a certain amount of cash.
Based on the testimonies of witnesses, Dumaguit was accompanied by two policemen in collecting money from the applicants.
“My administration does not tolerate any illegal acts even if they are my relatives or political allies,” said Mangilimutan.
She added that Dumaguit initially denied the allegation against him, but later asked her to convince the complainants not to implicate him.