PRIME SUSPECT. Danilo Surigao, 52, behind bars after he was caught in an entrapment at the DBP last Tuesday.

Police operatives caught red-handed the prime suspect behind a syndicate victimizing Boholano pensioners of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) of their pensions. The suspect identified as Danilo Surigao, 52, a resident of Toledo City, Cebu was caught in the act of receiving P30,000 marked money from one Paula Peligro, 77, a pensioner from barangay Cansiwang, Guindulman town during an entrapment operation at the Development Bank of the Phil. (DBP) last Tuesday. Following his arrest, several kin of other pensioners called DYRD's "Inyong Alagad" program last Wednesday to narrate how Surigao victimized them with the same modus operandi of assuring the release of their pensions in exchange of getting half of the amount. City Legal Officer Doni Piquero, upon instructions from City Mayor Dan Lim, proceeded to the city police headquarters to facilitate the filing of estafa and swindling charges against the suspect who bragged to have his top-notch lawyer from Cebu come to "rescue" him.

In the case of Peligro, the suspect demanded P92,500 saying he processed the back-pay claims of her deceased husband who is a PVAO pensioner.

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.

Estafa and swindling charges have already been filed against Surigao at the Regional Trial Court.

SECURE RECORDS

Bayron bared to the Chronicle that he is wondering how Surigao knew about Peligro's claims.

He said claims are always protected using only codes without names and amounts of every claimant's transaction.

Bayron, during DYRD's top-rated "Inyong Alagad," he warned claimants not to transact with non-PVAO employees and must ask for identification if somebody approaches them claiming to be a PVAO personnel. He advised claimants to transact business at the PVAO office.

"By policy, we do not allow third party claimants," according to Bayron.