Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) – Six members of an organized crime group extorting money using the name of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte turned themselves in to authorities, and were presented Wednesday afternoon.
The suspects acted as “researchers, callers, and receivers” of the Cerbito-Fernandez Organized Crime Group, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Legal Division Chief Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Orsos.
Orsos said the syndicate poses as senior local government officials to solicit money for “humanitarian projects,” such as community pantries supposedly done under the presidential daughter’s name.
Members of the group also pretend to be Davao City assistant administrator Tristan Domingo to seek financial support from businessmen and contractors for Mayor Duterte’s potential bid for the presidency in next year’s elections, he added.
“The solicited money was deposited under the name of a certain Kristian Acero,” Orsos said.
“It was then revealed that the group is operating nationwide, targeting or has targeted 209 more government officials and other private companies based on documents handed over to the PNP,” he added.
The NCRPO also said the group uses chat apps and social media sites, such as Viber and Facebook, to text and call suppliers in Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Batangas, Quezon, Negros Oriental, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Leyte, and Baguio to solicit funds.
Syndicated estafa charges are now being prepared against the group leaders, identified as Patrick Cerbito, Antonio Cerbito, Ramon Segundo, and Anthony Segundo.
In a statement, the City Government of Davao commended the NCRPO for its “aggressive and successful” operation.
It also reiterated Mayor Duterte’s previous call to report suspicious fund-raising or campaign activities to davaocitymayor@gmail.com, or course it through the National Bureau of Investigation and the police.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter previously said she is “open” to running for president, but added there is no final decision yet.
Mayor Duterte is currently the chairperson of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.
READ: Sara Duterte now ‘open’ to run for president in 2022
