INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said it has filed a complaint before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bataan Prosecutor’s Office against the incorporators of an alleged “bogus” auxiliary group of the organization.
PCG spokesperson Armando Balilio said the 101ST BALANGAY PCGA, INC. registered with the SEC without the PCG’s authorization on August 4, 2022.
One of the incorporators include former Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño.
INQUIRER.net reached Diño for comment but he has yet to respond as of posting.
Other incorporators include Renante Nase, Agustin Soria, Jr., Laurence Nase, Reniel Nase, Jerry Delos Santos, and Christine Lingat.
Balilo also said they received reports that the group was recruiting and charging fees to join their organization.
Aside from the SEC complaint, the PCG Station Bataan has also filed cases of estafa, usurpation of authority, and unlawful use of logo and insignias against the group at the Bataan Prosecutor’s Office in Balanga City last January 13.
PCG said some 500 Bataan residents were recruited by the group and 50 of them accompanied the PCG Station Bataan during the filing of the said cases.
“They have to respect the PCG as an armed organization and preserve the sanctity of wearing the uniform,” Balilo said in a statement.
Balilo said the PCG would also coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) over the incident.
“They have been warned accordingly. We will coordinate with other law enforcement agencies like NBI and the PNP to effect arrest should they continue to misrepresent the PCG and solicit money from ordinary people they are recruiting in the rural areas,” Balilo also emphasized.