MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has warned scammers using his name to solicit money and gifts from the public.
Bello said those behind this scheme of illegally soliciting gifts, in cash or in kind, would be arrested.
He said unscrupulous individuals have been using a fake Facebook account, Silvestre H. Bello III, to dupe unsuspecting victims.
The National Bureau of Investigation is tracking down a number of suspects and may soon come up with the identities of the scammers, according to Bello.
“Arrests can be made earlier than expected,” he said.
Bello said the scammers victimized some of his friends, acquaintances and ordinary netizens.
He said the scammers solicited assistance through the fake Facebook account purportedly for the labor chief’s community pantry reportedly meant to boost his senatorial bid.
Bello is not running for senator in 2022.
The scammers announced on social media that Bello would distribute tons of rice, but the recipients need to shoulder the shipping cost.
According to Bello, some of his friends gave financial assistance to the scammers.
“Given that this has become deliberate, the scam is intended to damage my reputation,” he said.
Bello said he does not maintain an account on Facebook by the name Silvestre H. Bello III.