NBI nabs man posing as government staff

CEBU, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation-Cebu District Office (NBI-CEBDO) arrested a man accused of posing as a government employee and collecting money from individuals in exchange for assistance with medical aid, scholarships, and bail for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

During a press conference on Tuesday, October 20, NBI-CEBDO head Atty. Arnel Pura identified the arrested man as Christian De Asis, who was the subject of several complaints, including one involving Mandaue City Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon.

Pura said De Asis allegedly introduced himself as a staff member of Ouano-Dizon’s office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), and other government agencies, claiming he could facilitate transactions and help applicants secure government assistance more easily.

He allegedly collected money from his victims to cover transportation allowances and transaction fees.

De Asis was arrested on October 14 after Ouano-Dizon requested investigative assistance over his alleged misrepresentation of her office.

Following his arrest, four more complainants surfaced and sought assistance from the NBI-CEBDO.

Two alleged victims claimed De Asis misrepresented his authority to process medical assistance, while two others said he claimed he could facilitate bail for their family members.

“Sige siya og dawat og kwarta, pero way resulta,” Pura said.

At least five alleged victims went to the NBI-CEBDO office on Tuesday to report their experiences.

Dianita Ochia, one of the complainants, said she had given De Asis more than ?100,000 in transactions from March to April this year.

Ochia said De Asis promised to help secure the release of her son, who had been arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), by facilitating his bail.

She said De Asis allegedly used photos of himself with Sixth District Congresswoman Daphne Lagon to gain her trust. He initially asked her for ?1,899, which he described as an information fee, and allegedly continued requesting money afterward.

Ochia said she received messages from someone claiming to be a police officer involved in her son’s arrest from March 24 to April 13, 2026. She said the sender threatened that her son would be arrested if she failed to provide money.

However, upon checking the phone number, she discovered that the messages had allegedly been orchestrated by De Asis.

“Paghiman-himan diay iyaha ra tong number, siya ra gihapon,” Ochia said.

Another complainant, Dionesio Suplaag, said he was approached by De Asis while he was at a hospital because of his sibling’s medical condition.

Suplaag said De Asis introduced himself as a DOH employee. He said he trusted De Asis because the latter approached him at the nurse’s station and discussed how he could help.

According to Suplaag, De Asis offered to handle the necessary processes for transferring his sibling to another hospital and coordinating with the DOH and DSWD. He allegedly demanded at least ?4,500 for notarization and other expenses.

However, Suplaag said the transaction did not proceed because his wife became suspicious of De Asis’ actions.

He added that Ouano-Dizon’s office covered the hospital expenses.

Another complainant, Edna Gozon, said De Asis approached her while a family member was preparing for discharge from a hospital. Posing as a staff member of Ouano-Dizon’s office, he allegedly asked her for ?400 for transportation expenses.

Gozon said De Asis promised to help facilitate the discharge but did not return immediately. He came back the following day with a guarantee letter from the DSWD.

Meanwhile, Precious Torreta, political affairs assistant to Ouano-Dizon, said De Asis approached clients and introduced himself as someone from the congresswoman’s office.

Torreta clarified that the congresswoman’s office does not employ middlemen to process requests for medical and educational assistance.

“Ang pag-process sa assistance, any assistance — medical, burial, hospital bills, and laboratory, wala gyuy gi-authorize nga tao si Cong. Lolypop nga mo-middleman. Tanan nga assistance moagi gyud sa opisina pinaagi sa tagtungod, or kamo mismo nga nagkinahanglan sa assistance,” Torreta said.

She said beneficiaries could transact directly with the office’s designated assistance desk, which processes requests without collecting money from applicants.

“Wala gyud cash nga mugawas sa opisina, papel lang gyud na nga referral, direct na na sa partner agency ni Cong. Lolypop. Ang budget diretso na na sa national line agencies,” Torreta said.

Kiam Arche, medical staff member at the congresswoman’s office, said the office has a help desk to assist applicants who encounter problems with requirements and procedures.

Arche added that the office does not allow fixers to facilitate assistance requests.

“In case naay mga conflict, pangitaan gyud na namo og paagi para ma-kompleto ang requirements and maka-provide og sakto nga documents para ma-settle sa office ni Cong. Lolypop, and in that case dili na kinahanglan og fixer,” Arche said.

Pura said De Asis could face criminal charges for estafa, violations of cybercrime laws, and violations of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

He added that with complaints involving multiple offices, De Asis could also face charges related to falsification of documents and complex estafa.

The NBI-CEBDO reminded the public to remain cautious of individuals claiming to have connections with government offices and demanding payment in exchange for assistance.

Those seeking medical, educational, or other forms of government assistance were encouraged to coordinate directly with the concerned offices to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

“We request the public to be vigilant and to verify the legitimacy of any person claiming to be representing any office,” Pura said.

For his part, De Asis admitted wrongdoing and apologized to the alleged victims and Ouano-Dizon during the press conference.

“Kahibaw ko nakasala ko, kang Congresswoman Lolypop, tabangi pod ko. Bisan nakasala ko, ayaw lang i-close imong hunahuna nga bati ko… di man sad sa tanang panahon nga bati ko, naa man sad koy nabuhat nga tarong, nasayop lang gyud ko,” De Asis said.

“Grabe akong pagmahay, nagmahay gyud ko,” he added. — (FREEMAN)