Public warned of scam using federalism, DU30's name

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Police have warned the public here of a modus operandi skimming people of money in exchange for alleged positions under the so-called revolutionary government earlier hinted by President Duterte.

The warning came after the arrest of Celestino Estimada Java Jr., one of the organizers of a group calling themselves as members of "People's Congress" and "Anti-Graft League of the Philippines. We support Federalism."

Chief Inspector Roland Desiree Lavisto of the Ubay Police Station said Java was detained over the weekend after he required each participant — to a gathering of President Duterte's supposed supporters — pay P180 as registration fee and another P350 for t-shirt.

Police estimated those who joined the meeting last Saturday (March 10) to be 3,000 to 4,000 people, all of whom were promised by Java of government positions once Duterte's purported revolutionary government takes effect.

Lavisto said Java was backed by some Tagalog-speaking individuals from Luzon who claimed to have links with Malacañang and the president himself.

Each attendee to the "People's Congress" was also promised of at least P5-million share from the alleged gold bars of the Marcos family.

Last Saturday's massive turnout of the meeting alarmed authorities here, prompting the police to conduct an investigation at the meeting venue, specifically at Barangay San Pascual in Ubay town.

Lavisto told The Freeman that Java had no government permits when asked to present documents. Obviously it was a money-making activity, but many had registered and believed in the scam's scheme," Lavisto told The Freeman.

Java is now facing charges for alleged violation of the provisions of Batas Pambansa 880, or the law governing people's right to free speech and assembly, and Republic Act 7642, or the law penalizing tax evasion.

Lavisto called on the public to report to authorities similar dubious activities, which reportedly had been conducted in other parts of Bohol province.

The official PDP-Laban-Bohol Chapter and its legitimate federalism supporters here have not issued a statement concerning the fraudulent activities pushed by individuals that capitalized on Duterte's popularity.

But interior and local government Secretary Eduardo Año on March 5 issued an advisory warning the public of a money-making scam that banks on the ideals of federalism and Duterte's name.

"Inuulit ko wala pong katotohanan ang rebolusyonaryong gobyerno. Matuto po tayong humindi sa mga manlolokong ito at ibunyag natin ang kanilang mga maling gawain sa lahat ng paraan," Año said in the DILG advisory.