The Taguig City government on Monday warned the public against a syndicate engaged in selling properties in the city at deceptively low prices.
Generoso Ignacio, head of the city’s Local Housing Office, cited in particular the Building Enhancement for Livelihood and Environmental Network Inc. led by one Evelyn “Belen” Fuentes of New Lower Bicutan.
The syndicate, according to Ignacio, also victimized investors in other parts of Metro Manila such as Parañaque, Pasig and Quezon City.
He said the group’s modus operandi involves offering to individuals a “property” along Circumferential Road 6 at low prices.
To convince prospective victims that they are indeed owners of the parcel of land measuring 80.925 hectares, members of the syndicate show a piece of paper indicating the transfer of the rights to one Belen Fuentes.
The piece of paper is signed by Fuentes and one Lorenzo Villar Elambo, who supposedly initiated the transfer.
The property, however, turned out to be part of the waters of Laguna de Bay.
“These kinds of syndicates are never tolerated in Taguig. They will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” said Mayor Laarni Cayetano.
Cayetano said Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act imposes a penalty of six years imprisonment or a fine of not less than P60,000 but not more than P100,000, or both, depending on the discretion of the court, to groups proven to be squatting syndicates.
“Rest assured that we are doing everything we can to prevent these syndicates from victimizing people,” she added.