Public awaits PVAO
probe on syndicate
By KIT BAGAIPO

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) has yet to conduct its probe on syndicates victimizing pensioners here.

Several beneficiaries and kin of pensioners of PVAO confirmed the existence of "fixers" who allegedly facilitate the release of claims.

Last November 14, one Paula Peligro, 77, resident of barangay Cansiwang, Guindulman and a survivorship pensioner reported to police a certain Danilo Surigao, 52, who asked for P92,500 as fee for facilitating the release of the back-pay for the former's deceased husband.

Villaflor warned pensioners against fixers who introduce themselves as PVAO employees and offer assistance.

He said PVAO does not allow such transactions. However, he admitted that many pensioners are being victimized by fixers due to the promise of immediate release of claims.

Surigao was caught red-handed by police after he received the marked money from Peligro at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Tagbilaran Branch.

Several kin of other pensioners called dyRD's "Inyong Alagad" program to narrate how Surigao swindled them with the same modus operandi of assuring the early release of their pensions in exchange of getting half of the amount.

Charges of estafa were filed against Surigao.

In her complaint, Peligro said that sometime in August 2007, the suspect went to her residence in Cansiwang, Guindulman and offered to follow up the back-pay claims of his deceased husband.

Surigao told her that he will get half of the amount that will be collected as payment for processing of her claim at the PVAO main office in Manila.

Since Peligro wanted to get the back-pay as soon as possible, she agreed to Surigao's offer.

The suspect asked for a photocopy of the victim's passbook, old age pension application of her husband and barangay clearance.

Surigao also asked Peligro to sign documents which she was not able to read and remembered that one paper was blank except that she was made to sign at the end portion of the paper which was also notarized by a certain Atty. Sipalay.

Sometime last week, Peligro was informed by Surigao that her back-pay claims has been released and was deposited at DBP-Tagbilaran.

Surigao told the victim that they will withdraw his share of the back-pay, half of the total amount plus P20,000.

However, through the advise of Peligro's daughter, Ruby Ann Licot, Peligro went to DBP without informing the suspect. She was accompanied by Licot to the bank and were surprised to learn that the back-pay was in the amount of P145,000.

The victim was also informed by a relative in Manila that when they processed their claims early this year, the documents they submitted were already complete. When the relative inquired if Surigao submitted on their behalf any documents pertaining to their claims, PVAO informed them there were no transactions made by Surigao at their office.

While at DBP, Peligro and her daughter were surprised to see that Surigao was waiting for them at the bank's guard house.

The suspect allegedly approached them and again asked for his 50% share plus P20,000.

Licot told Surigao that they were willing to pay him only P30,000 which the suspect initially refused.

Unknown to the suspect, the victims had already informed the City PNP and the BPPO regarding Surigao.

When the suspect agreed to accept the P30,000 (already marked by the police) at a canteen beside DBP, police apprehended him.