Public warned vs scammers using Marawi crisis

MANILA, Philippines -  The military yesterday warned the public against scammers taking advantage of the Marawi crisis to solicit money. 

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said there has been an increase in the number of scammers supposedly trying to raise money for soldiers “through benefit dinners and lunches.” 

“Do not believe them until you have verified because there’s only one legitimate account that receives donations for soldiers and affected civilians of Marawi,” Padilla said. 

“We would like to ask everybody to be on the lookout for these scammers and let your telecommunications provider know the numbers they’re using so that they can block these and won’t go on with their nefarious activities,” he said. 

Donors may donate to evacuees by depositing cash to account name Marawi IDP with account number 00000552107136.

Those who want to help the families of slain soldiers may deposit cash to the account name AFP Marawi Casualty with account number 00000552107128. 

A total of P508,500 has been raised for families of fallen troopers while P187,500 has been received for displaced persons.