NBI charges 6 people for syndicated estafa, usurpation

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation has filed criminal cases against six people arrested in Manila for offering government posts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in exchange for money using the name of First Lady Liza Marcos.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the six were arrested inside Manila Hotel on Jan. 2 after their attempt to dupe former Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangudadatu by offering posts for his son and nephew in the Bangsamoro Parliament in exchange for P15 million.

Santiago said Mangudadatu informed the NBI of the scheme.

He identified the six as Ronald Joseph Catunao, who is running for councilor in Parañaque City, Diahn Dagohoy, Bolkisah Datadacula, Alejandro Lorino Jr., Leomer Abon and Tita Natividad.