CIDG raids allegedly unlicensed firm selling land in Cavite

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two individuals in a raid against an allegedly unlicensed company selling land in Cavite.

Most of their victims were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who now seek help to recover their money from the firm, according to a report by Emil Sumangil on "24 Oras."

Arrested during the raid were Marife Robiños, administrative staff, and Allan Fresnido, office manager.  But both said they were just office staff and were not the ones who dealt with the buyers.

According to the CIDG, the company does not have legal documents to operate. At least 35 investors earlier complained against the firm after it failed to turn over the properties that have been fully paid.

“Wala silang SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) clearance, or certification coming from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. Tatlong beses na nagpalit ng pangalan,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Benedick Poblete, CIDG-Cavite chief.

“Napakasakit po sir, unang una wala naman ako trabaho, hindi na ako nakabalik doon. Tapos dito, mayroon pa ako babayarin,” said Jewel Martinez, one of the complainants.

“Wala po kaming makitang linaw, dahil pumunta kami sa area, aso lang ang guard dun sa pinaka-area po,” another complainant, Marilou Remo, said.

“Sir kako sa kanila, bakit wala pa rin development doon sa subdivision na binayaran namin? Ang sabi naman po, tatapusin lang ang eleksyon kasi magulo,” Aries Rites said.

The suspects will face charges for violating Presidential Decree no. 957 or the Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree, Swindling, and Estafa.

“Naipit po kami sa sitwasyon, kasi appointed employee lang kami, walang kontrata, lahat ng utos ay galing sa head, kami lang ang inabutan sa opisina," Fresnido said.

“Gusto ko lang po na malinis ang pangalan namin, dahil hindi naman kami ang mga taong unang kausap nila, tapos kami na lang sumalo ng problema,”  Robiños said.

"Meron tayong isang CEO, which is not in the area during that time, so we will be preparing a case against a Patricio Ahas," Poblete said.

GMA Integrated News team is still trying to get a statement from the company's CEO.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News