NBI arrests 3 suspected swindlers over ‘NHA contracts’

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested last Friday three individuals in Quezon City for allegedly duping a man to secure a contract with the National Housing Authority (NHA) in exchange for P10 million.

NBI Director Dante Gierran on Tuesday identified the suspects as Enriquito Dizon, Lourdes Bonifacio, and John Alvin Diguangco, who were arrested in an entrapment operation.

According to Gierran, the operation stemmed from the complaint filed before the NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division against the suspects who allegedly claimed to have authority to represent the NHA in securing contracts for housing projects.

Citing information from the complainant, Gierran said the suspects promised that the contract could be easily obtained if the victim could pay them P10 million as a buy-out fee.

The victim and his associate contractors then agreed to pay P3 million as part of the total amount and consented to meet at a restaurant in Quezon City.

But before the appointment, the victim had doubts about the identity of the suspects, prompting him to verify if they were indeed associated with the NHA. Upon verification, the complainant found that the group had no authority to obtain or secure contracts with any NHA office.

NBI agents, the complainant, and his associates then proceeded to the meeting place where the partial payment would be handed out. After the complainant showed the cash, suspect Dizon then ordered Bonifacio to count the money in the toilet of the restaurant. At this point, NBI agents then announced the arrest.

Seized during the entrapment were several documents pertaining to alleged NHA projects.

Charges for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1689, which increased the penalty for certain forms of swindling or estafa, were filed against the suspects including their two other alleged cohorts, identified as Adel Gerona and a certain alias Henry, who remains at-large.

/atm