THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warns local government officials, businessmen, and the public against poseurs who are introducing themselves as the DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos and soliciting money and goods to provide “support to their members.”

The Interior department received reports from a provincial governor, a vice-governor, and a Cabinet Secretary that they received various calls from poseurs claiming to be the “DILG Chief” and asking for financial support.

Abalos, in an official statement, said, “Let me put it on record that I will not, in my personal or official capacity, give financial or material support nor will I ask anyone to solicit money on my behalf for any illegal purpose, especially that which is in contravention to the ideals and mission of the DILG which is mandated to ensure peace and order and public safety.”

“I have already instructed the PNP (Philippine National Police) Anti-Cybercrime Group to dig deeper into this incident and pin down the culprits behind this modus victimizing local officials, said Abalos.

He also urged the local government leagues to advise their members on this modus and to report any similar incident to the PNP to help in the investigation.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jun I. Legaspi