BOGUS. Photo shows the man (left) who was arrested for allegedly soliciting financial assistance for beneficiaries of Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Luzon (DSWD-3) programs using the Office of the Vice President (OVP). He was identified as Joel Calis, alias John Carlos, a resident of Caloocan City. (Contributed photo)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has warned the public against individuals and groups who are pretending to be its personnel or representatives.
This, after authorities arrested a man for allegedly soliciting financial assistance for beneficiaries of Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Luzon (DSWD-3) programs using the OVP.
Brig. Gen. Cesar Pasiwen, acting regional director of the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3), on Wednesday identified the suspect as Joel Calis, alias John Carlos, 41, vice president of RNA Foundation Philippines, Inc. and presently residing in Barangay 138, Caloocan City.
Calis, who was wearing a blue police shirt with an embroidered logo of the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, was arrested Tuesday after the police received a call from the Office of City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Mayor Arthur Robes.
The suspect reportedly introduced himself as staff of the OVP. However, upon verification, it was found that he is not in any way connected with the OVP and the DSWD.
Recovered from the suspect were different application forms for assistance, logo of the OVP, and a blue t-shirt with the OVP logo.
Calis is now under the custody of the City of San Jose Del Monte Police Station where he is facing charges for usurpation of authority and other forms of deceit.
“May this serve as a warning to all who dares to use any government agency or use the names of any high-ranking public or PNP officials for any illegal purpose as they will never get away with the long arm of the law," Pasiwen said in a statement.
Meanwhile, in a Viber message to reporters, OVP Spokesperson Reynold Munsayac said the public must exercise vigilance against various forms of fraud.
"Pinag-iingat po ang publiko laban sa mga mapanlinlang na tao at grupo na nagpapanggap na empleyado ng Office of the Vice President. Siguruhin po na ma-verify muna ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga tao na nagpapakilala na may kaugnayan sa OVP (The public must be careful against deceitful individuals and groups pretending to be employees of the OVP. Verify first of those identifying with the OVP)," he said.
Munsayac also urged Filipinos to report such instances to their office or immediate authorities, particularly police personnel.
"Makakatulong din po ang pagbibigay sa OVP, PNP (Philippine National Police), at NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) ng mga litrato at videos ng mga tao na nagpapanggap na empleyado ng OVP (Pictures and videos of these people pretending to be OVP personnel will also be helpful to OVP, PNP, and NBI)," he added.
The OVP said the public can verify purported representatives via the official OVP telephone numbers at 8532-5942 or 8370-1719.
The OVP has been providing medical and burial assistance via its main and satellite offices nationwide since the assumption of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte.
"Libreng Sakay" is also provided while livelihood programs will also be launched. (PNA)
