DILG warns of fire truck scam

MANILA, Philippines - Local government officials should be on the lookout for unscrupulous individuals who pose as Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno and ask them to shell out money to fasttrack the release of fire trucks.

Sueno said yesterday a congressman approached him when he was in Malacañang Thursday night to ask him if he was the one who called up two mayors in his district.

“The caller introduced himself as Secretary Sueno and told the two mayors that DILG would be releasing two fire trucks (for their towns) but they should shell out P50,000,” he said in a press briefing.

Sueno said that the DILG currently has no fire trucks up for distribution as his office is still in the process of procuring them.

He said these scammers have also been using his name to extort money from mayors facing suspension or dismissal from office.

Sueno said a mayor was victimized by a scammer who assured him that he will discuss the mayor’s case with Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales if he shells out P100,000 to bankroll his birthday party.

He called on local officials who encounter these scams to report them to his aide, Senior Superintendent Alex Sintin.