Man arrested in Bulacan for allegedly soliciting 'ayuda' using OVP

A man was arrested in Bulacan on Tuesday for allegedly using the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to solicit financial assistance for supposed beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Based on the report of Bulacan Police Provincial Office, suspect Joel Calis, 41, was apprehended by operatives of San Jose Del Monte City Police Station (SJDM CPS) at Sitio Gulod Road 2, Brgy. Minuyan for alleged usurpation of authority and other forms of deceit.

Police said they received a call from the office of Mayor Arthur Robes that Calis, wearing a blue polo shirt with embroidered OVP logo, introduced himself as a staff of OVP to solicit money for certain DSWD Region 3 projects for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents.

However, upon verification, police said they found out that Calis was not connected with the OVP.

The police, along with intelligence operatives and barangay officials, then proceeded to the area and found Calis allegedly presiding over the processing of the supposed “ayuda” application forms with the DSWD logo.

SJDM CPS officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant Colonel Cresenciano Cordero Jr. ordered Calis’ arrest after he failed to show any identification as proof of his affiliation with the OVP. The suspect was brought to the city police station for further investigation.

Criminal complaints from Robes' office, DSWD Region 3, and others were being prepared against the suspect, the police added.

For their part, OVP spokesperson Atty. Reynold Munsayac urged the public to be vigilant against individuals or groups pretending to be employees of the OVP.

“Siguruhin po na ma-verify muna ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga tao na nagpapakilala na may kaugnayan sa OVP. Para po makasiguro, maaaring tumawag sa official OVP telephone numbers, 8532-5942 / 8370-1719,” he said in a statement.

(Please make sure to verify first the identity of those claiming to be connected with the OVP. To be sure, you can call the official OVP telephone numbers.)

He also called on people to send photos and videos of those pretending to be OVP employees to their office, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Hinihiling din po namin ang tulong ng mga mamamayan na masugpo ang ganitong panloloko sa pamamagitan ng pagrereport ng mga gawain na ito sa OVP at sa mga otoridad,” Munsayac added.

(We also ask the public to help stop this fraud by reporting these activities to the OVP and the authorities.)—AOL, GMA News