Relatives tag slain cop in scam

HOMICIDE investigators have been trying to determine whether the death of a Surigao policeman in Quiapo, Manila, last Wednesday was related to the multimillion peso Rasuman investment scam.

The police learned about the possible motive for the killing of PO3 Saripoden Malawi Pangcoga after his relatives went to the Manila Police District (MPD) on Friday to claim his belongings.

Case officer SPO4 Glenzo Vallejo of the homicide unit said that Pangcoga’s relatives revealed that the victim was an agent in the Lanao del Sur-based investment scheme founded by Jachob “Coco” Rasuman, recruiting potential investors.

Rasuman had promised his investors a gain of 70 percent to 100 percent in two months’ time from a pyramiding scheme anchored on the buying and selling of used cars.

Pangcoga’s relatives went to the MPD two days after two men shot him dead in front of a bakery on Hidalgo Street in Quiapo. His assailants remained unidentified.

Vallejo said that Pangcoga’s relatives told investigators that two days before he was killed, two victims of the get-rich-quick scheme went to his house in Lanao and demanded that he return their money.

He added that since the scam was exposed, Pangcoga had been constantly leaving Manila due to death threats.

Rasuman was arrested in November 2012 in Marawi City and charged with syndicated estafa. Former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said that the money lost by his victims may total more than P1 billion.