By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a gubernatorial candidate and three other suspects for alleged swindling in Guimaras province.
In a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City Thursday, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III identified the arrested suspects as Maggie Cacho, a gubernatorial candidate in the province, and her secretary Cayetano Leal.
CIDG also nabbed two Philippine Coast Guard personnel who acted as Cacho’s bodyguards during the entrapment operation on Feb. 11 in Barangay Sabang, Sibunag town in response to a businessman’s complaint.
Cacho misrepresented herself to influence the approval of government projects, specifically the Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) emission testing application with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for a fee of PHP800,000 to PHP1 million.
“We would like to announce the arrest of Maggie Cacho na nagpapa kilalang (who introduced herself as) a very close relative of First Family,” Torre said.
On Sept. 26, 2024, the complainant paid in advance PHP400,000 to Cacho to secure the emission testing project.
Despite failing to fulfill her promise, Cacho contacted the complainant again to pay an additional PHP400,000 to expedite the project.
After verifying Cacho was not connected with the DOTr, the businessman sought assistance from the CIDG, which led to the arrest of the four suspects in an entrapment operation.
“It was reported that she has been doing this for quite a while since the assumption of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Torre said.
The CIDG confiscated two caliber pistols from Cacho’s two bodyguards amid the election gun ban.
Torre said the CIDG is now coordinating with the PCG as to the status of two arrested coast guard personnel.
“We urge the community to report to us all forms of swindling and other criminalities, we will do the rest,” Torre said. (PNA)
