A suspect has been arrested for the serious offenses of swindling and estafa for showing a fake receipt to an online seller.

An alleged swindler under the alias of ‘Sofia Lim’ was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Manila District Anti-Cybercrime Team (MDACT) of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) with the aid of leading finance super app, GCash.

The suspect agreed to purchase a total of P157,112 from an online seller of imported clothing from Thailand and Japan. As proof of payment, alias Sofia Lim provided a screenshot or copy of a fake receipt that included a transaction reference number. However, the amount failed to appear in the seller’s account.

The suspect faces violation of Article 315, otherwise known as Swindling and Estafa, as amended by RA 10951 in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The suspect is now subject to inquest proceedings at the Las Piñas Prosecutor’s Office.

PNP-ACG sends a powerful message to perpetrators that such actions could result in grave criminal charges and can be dealt with years of prison time. Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing initiative to educate the public on safety while engaging in online transactions, GCash continues to encourage users to be aware of various modes of scam, fraud, and cybercrime.

While cooperation with law enforcement authorities intensifies, GCash also urges its users to be extra vigilant against online scammers and fraudsters. Users are reminded never to disclose their MPIN or OTP. With the rise in phishing incidents, customers are strongly advised never to click links, especially from unknown senders. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– A man was hacked by an intoxicated individual without any apparent reason while passing by in Barangay Cabibihan, Caibiran, Biliran, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at around 1:30 pm.

The victim, identified as “Rommel,” 21, unemployed, was walking by when he was attacked by the suspect, “Daryl,” 34, who is also unemployed and resides in the same barangay.
According to local police, they responded to the hacking incident after a concerned citizen reported it via a phone call.

Initial investigation revealed that the suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, had been in a heated argument with his brother.

During the altercation, the victim happened to pass by, and without any provocation, the suspect hacked him with a jungle bolo, locally known as a “sundang,” striking the victim on his lower right back.

Bystanders at the scene quickly transported the victim to the rural health unit in Caibiran, and he was later referred to Biliran Provincial Hospital for further medical treatment.
Responding police officers arrested the suspect and recovered the weapon used in the attack.

The suspect, along with the evidence, was taken to Caibiran Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) is eyeing the inauguration of its P100-million operations center and warehouse in the northern part of the city by November this year to boost disaster preparedness and response.

Sher Rysiah Saises, OCD-Eastern Visayas disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) division officer-in-charge, said the project is just the first of three phases.

Under phase two are the construction of administration and training buildings and other facilities for skills training venues, with a budget requirement of P160 million for 2025–2026.

“This will also be the pioneer training center for the whole OCD community as mandated in Republic Act 10121, or the DRRM law. We will be catering to the training needs of other regions,” Saises said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing here on Tuesday.
In March 2023, the OCD held a groundbreaking for a P300-million first integrated regional office at the Government Center in Palo, Leyte.

It will be the first regional office with a command center and a warehouse to store prepositioned goods. Since 2014, the office has been renting office spaces in Tacloban City.
Saises said actual civil works have not started since the development of the lot area is still ongoing.

There are also “needed documentary requirements and polishing of plans.”

OCD is an agency under the Department of National Defense and serves as the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

It is tasked with providing leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches, as well as measures to reduce vulnerabilities and risks to hazards and manage the consequences of disasters.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)