The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday cautioned the public against unscrupulous individuals using the agency to solicit money for the holiday season.
“Our officials and personnel will never solicit goods, services, or money from any person or entity,” CAAP stated in its advisory.
The agency came up with the warning after its management received information that there are individuals claiming to represent the office Director General Manuel Antonio Tamayo “directly calling our agency partners and suppliers asking for cash donations for this coming Christmas season.”
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the Office of Director General has never called any of suppliers, clients, or stakeholders to ask for donations nor has it authorized or asked any staff to make such solicitations.
“Such acts of solicitation by unscrupulous individuals purporting to be CAAP Officials which this Authority does not tolerate. We urge the public to report to our office any activities relating to the above so that appropriate criminal charges may be filed against them, if applicable,” he said.
In 2019, CAAP also came up with a warning against a syndicate soliciting financial help for the victims of Typhoon Tisoy.
The agency discovered that the syndicate was also using the name of then CAAP director general Capt. Jim Sydiongco to solicit donations supposedly for the affected families.
Authorities said the syndicate is taking advantage of the situation and the holiday season when Filipinos are known to be generous sharing their blessings by giving cash or in-kind gifts to those who are in need.
They warned that the syndicate might give would-be donors bank account numbers where they could deposit their cash donation. They said the public should not believe and avoid these kind of people.