PNP issues warning on texter posing as top cop Nartatez

PNP public information chief, Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned against a text scammer pretending to be acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. 

In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the PNP’s directors for intelligence, comptrollership and investigations and detective management all received text messages from the scammer.

“They have been receiving text messages that were supposedly from the chief PNP’s cellphone number and where his profile or avatar was also displayed,” Tuaño explained.

He added that the PNP’s director for intelligence received the message last Saturday — while he was with Nartatez himself at the PNP Command Center for their assessment of officers’ adherence to operational procedures.

Meanwhile, a screenshot shared by the PNP at the briefing showed the alleged text scammer telling the unnamed recipient that he had an “ongoing late night meeting with the President” Sunday night.

READ: Taguig police issue warning over scam using officer’s identity

“The PNP reminds the public that our acting chief PNP does not permit anyone to use his name or position for their own interests or objectives,” Tuaño stressed.

“Ang ganitong uri ng maling representasyon ay isang seryosong paglabag at maaring humantong sa kulang kasong kriminal,” he added, further citing Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“This kind of wrong representation is a serious violation and may be grounds to file appropriate criminal charges,” he said. (with reports from Jossa Rafoncel Par, INQUIRER.net intern) /gsg