DAVAO CITY (March 28) — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde relieved on Monday the chief of the PRO-12 directorial staff, Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., and city police director, Col. Raul Supiter in connection with the ongoing investigation into the nearly PHP2-billion investment scam called Pulis Paluwagan Movement.
The three PNP officers and 14 personnel were reportedly behind the Ponzi-like investment scheme dubbed PPM. A scam which enticed police personnel to invest and enjoy 60-percent interest rate in 15-days.
On the same breath, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered the removal from post of Col. Manuel Lukban, Col. Raul Supiter, and Lt. Col. Henry Viñas, to give way to an investigation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The Pulis Paluwagan Movement (PPM) allegedly targeted “a sizable number” of police officers and their families in General Santos City and nearby areas, said Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.
Malaya said “In a span of few months, the PNP personnel involved in this scam acquired multiple assets and they have issued checks that cannot be encashed due to insufficiency of funds in the bank accounts of PPM.”
Relieved were deputy city police director, Lt. Col. Henry Biñas, Senior Master Sgt. Marigold Aranas, Master Sgt. Dervin Baluran, Master Sgt. Francis Gee Caravalle, Master Sgt. Roderick Ringon, Staff Sgt. Joemar Abella, Staff Sgt. Roger Agodania, Staff Sgt. Jeannette Dosdos, Cpl. Rhodora Bombita, Cpl. Richelle Reyes, Cpl. Joy Butchie Mae Caravalle, Cpl. Daisy Babe Javierto, Patrolman (Pat) Kristin Buta and Patrolman Venus Amor Velasco.
The 14 PNP personnel were transferred to the RPHAU (regional police holding and accounting unit) while the investigation is being conducted.
The three officials were transferred to the police holding and accounting unit of the Directorate for Personnel Records and Management in Camp Crame.
The National Bureau of Investigation-Sarangani district office has also launched a separate investigation based on the complaints from civilian victims.
PPM, started to operate in 2018 with the blessings of the officials and put up a mini office in General Santos City police headquarters in Camp Fermin Lira.
But when the checks issued started to bounce in January, the PPW found its natural death.
Initial investigation showed, a certain Shiela Agustin was the leader of the group, but she has gone into hiding and is reportedly now out of the country.
But Agustin through her counsel, the law firm Yap, Bansiloy and Sanchez (YBS) law firm, in a statement stated that Agustin “maintains her innocence and vehemently denies that she is the mastermind behind” the PPM.
YBS said their client “undertakes to return the capital investments, after due verification, of civilian personnel only, who directly deposited an amount to the account of our client, starting January 2019, provided there was no pay-out made yet.” –NewsLine.ph
