DILG Sec. Eduardo Año. INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has warned the public against the alleged illegal scheme of a certain individual posing as an “assistant secretary” of the agency and Malacañang.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año identified the impostor as Salvador Hussey Escarian.
“Hinihikayat ko ang mga pinuno ng pamahalaang lokal na maging mapagbantay. Huwag tayong magpaloko sa mga indibidwal na sumisira sa ating hanay sa pamahalaan. Ang taong ito ay nanggugulo lamang at tinitiyak kong reresolbahin natin ito,” Año said.
Año cited that Escarian even arranged a conference in Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte during DILG events and programs.
Escarian passed himself off as an assistant secretary and visited events such as DILG’s “Mamamayan Ayaw sa Anomalya Mamamayan Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga” held in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Año said Escarian also used fake documents to gain the trust and support of officials in the local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies.
Escarian also introduced himself as an assistant secretary in Malacañang and solicited P200,000 cash from Payao government.
Aside from this, the DILG said Escarian also pretended to be a broker from the Bureau of Customs.
With this, Año asked the public to verify identities of DILG officials in their website and information hub.
The Interior secretary also asked LGUs to report to the Philippine National Police any incidents involving Escarian and his rackets. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)