Cops nab fake usec at Camp Aguinaldo

MANILA, Philippines — A man posing as an undersecretary and head of an anti-smuggling task force under the Office of the President was arrested at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday.

The suspect, identified as Perfecto Pornebo Jr., 62, was caught by police officers and soldiers at the building of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force National Capital Region at around noon.

A report from the Quezon City Police District said Pornebo posed as the chief of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force Sea Eagle, an agency purportedly under the Office of the President.

Prior to his arrest, Pornebo occupied three offices at the country’s main military camp since May 15.

Superintendent Ophelio Dakila Concina Jr., commander of Project 4 Police Station 8 which has territorial jurisdiction over Camp Aguinaldo, said military officers sought their assistance for Pornebo’s arrest after obtaining a certificate from Malacañang that stated he is not a government official.

The anti-smuggling task force is also not included in the list of government agencies under the President’s office.

“The military sought our assistance in arresting Pornebo,” said Concina over the phone.

Another police official said Pornebo was allowed to hold office in Camp Aguinaldo upon the recommendation of retired military officials.

However, the AFP officers became suspicious when people in their 60s were seen visiting Pornebo’s office. It later turned out the suspect was recruiting members to his group with the promise of a monthly salary of P60,000 each.

A background investigation on Pornebo revealed he was never connected with the military.

“There were lapses committed by the military in this incident,” a source said.

“The task force is not among the records available on file or in the possession of the Office of the President,” the source said in his report.

When lawmen confronted Pornebo with the certificate from Malacañang, he suddenly pulled out a handgun. A military officer present at the scene grabbed the firearm from the suspect.

Seized from Pornebo was one .45 caliber pistol, with a magazine loaded with 11 bullets. Another handgun of the same caliber was found in a drawer of his desk.

Pornebo is facing charges of usurpation of authority and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.