Women posing as DPWH officials arrested after visiting quake-hit areas

Two women were arrested in Davao City after they posed as officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office conducting inspections in areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

In an exclusive report by Emil Sumangil on “24 Oras” Tuesday, the suspects had personnel from the DPWH regional office accompany them to visit various structures affected by the June 8 earthquake.

They suspects even held meetings, but were inconsistent in their statements, raising suspicions among the regional office staff.

Based on the police’s verification the suspects are not affiliated with any DPWH offices.

“Peke mga ID niyan…manghihingi ng pera mga ‘yan…. Nakakahiya!” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in a video phone call with the suspects mediated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

(Those IDs are fake… they’re just going to extort money… How shameful!)

“‘Wag mo ako pinaglololoko, hindi ka empleyada ng DPWH. Nakita ko ID mo [nakalagay] chairman wala naman chairman ang DPWH… Ikaw ang vice chairman, wala naman vice chairman ang DPWH,” Dizon added.

(Don’t fool me, you are not a DPWH employee. I saw your ID—it says ‘Chairman,’ but the DPWH doesn't have a chairman… And you’re the ‘Vice Chairman,’ but the DPWH doesn't have a vice chairman either.)

The public works secretary ordered the CIDG to arrest the two women.

Dizon said the suspects claim they were merely inspecting projects and handling contractors to decide whether or not they would receive payment.

The suspects were charged with usurpation and did not issue a statement.

Dizon warned that scammers posing as DPWH officials are on the rise nationwide, and added that the agency is collaborating with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, NBI, and CIDG to crack down on the scammers. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BM, GMA News