Año orders relief of 3 high-ranking police officials in Region 12 for allegedly running P2-billion investment scam

(Eagle News)—Three high-ranking police officials from the Police Regional Office 12 have been ordered sacked by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año for allegedly running a P2-billion investment scam that victimized policemen, prosecutors, judges, entrepreneurs and other ordinary civilians in General Santos.

Año ordered Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde to relieve Senior Supt. Manuel M. Lukban, Jr., Senior Supt. Raul S. Supiter, and Supt. Henry P. Biñas after they were found to be behind the  Police Paluwagan Movement.

He said around 30 police personnel and civilians were also involved in the scam.

Año said based on a report from Police Chief Superintendent Elisio T. Rasco, PRO Regional Director, the group  was able to entice investors by  offering a 60 percent interest rate on the money invested by investors every 15 days.

According to Año, in a span of a few months, those involved in the scam managed to acquire multiple assets, while those who invested were unable to encash the checks given to them by the group due to insufficiency of funds in the PPM bank account.

“Ako’y nababahala sa balitang ito. Mga pulis, kabilang ang ilang matataas na ranggong pulis, ang umano’y nagpapatakbo ng investment scam,” Año said.

“I want the other regions to know of this scam so that they do not fall prey to a similar scheme. Let this serve as a warning to them that the DILG-PNP will not tolerate any wrong doing among our ranks,” he added.