‘Pyramid’ cops face lifestyle check

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a lifestyle check on officers and men involved in the get-rich-quick investment scheme of the bankrupt Maria Teresa Santos Trading (MTST) firm.

PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. gave specific instructions to field and support unit commanders to focus investigation on several senior officials.

Ebdane issued the directive in the wake of reports reaching his office and that of Interior and Local Secretary Joey Lina Jr. that a good number of police officers have been directly involved in the suspected pyramiding scam.

MTST owner Ma. Teresa Santos is now detained without bail at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for large scale estafa charges.

"Conduct lifestyle check on the officers who were reported to have recovered their investments along with huge interests at the expense of unsuspecting investors of MTST before it went bankrupt," Ebdane’s directive said.

The PNP chief also wants to find out where these men got their millions for investment in the firm.

Camp Crame sources initially estimated around P10 to P20 billion were lost by thousands of investors, mostly men from the PNP and the Armed Forces.

"There were reports that these officers and their families are now living extravagant lives after they allegedly cornered Santos before she was even arrested," sources said.

If found to be living beyond their income, administrative and criminal charges will be filed against them.

"One classic example here are two police generals who invested millions in MTST. We have reports that they were able to recover their investments before the firm went bankrupt. Saan nila kinuha ang ganoong kalaking pera?" a source asked.

Answering his own question, he claimed that several ranking police officials abducted Santos and emptied her accounts, including some of her real estate properties, leaving nothing for thousands of investors who are still trying to collect their hard-earned money. – Jaime Laude