Bataan—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) started the process of accommodating victims of a recruitment scam in the province.
PCG Bataan Station Commander Jonathan Serote said 283 volunteers from different towns of Bataan attended the PCG Auxiliary orientation held at 1Bataan Center, Orani on Saturday.
The attendees were 480 Bataan residents who were allegedly recruited by members of the 101st Balangay Group PCGA Incorporated to the PCG Auxiliary.
However, the recruitment drive was not authorized by the PCG.
The PCG earlier filed charges against four individuals who allegedly recruited the 480 Bataan residents to become members of the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA), the civilian volunteer arm of the agency. PCG Bataan Station Commander Jonathan Serote accompanied by some 50 victims filed the complaint at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Renante Nase, Reniel Nase, Julius Valerio, and Henric David belonging to a group 101st Balangay PCGA Inc.
The PCG Bataan Station commander said they charged the respondents of estafa, usurpation of authority, and unlawful use of logos and insignias. Serote said the group 101st Balangay PCGA Incorporated with an address in Quezon City is not authorized by the PCG to recruit for the PCG Auxiliary. “The PCG filed the complaint so as to prevent this kind of scheme of unscrupulous individuals using the name of the agency to victimize,” he said. Serote said the “recruits” were promised to receive benefits from cooperatives to be formed and other sources.”
He added each of them shelled out at least P18,000 for transportation and food allowance, uniforms, and other expenses for months of training. Antonio Allecera and Melchor Castilar, jobless from Mariveles town, who both appeared during the filing of cases, said they were among the first batch who were recruited in August last year. They had undergone training in formation, drills, and water rescue in Morong. Allecera said they later found out the recruitment was a scam.
Serote, representing PCG and accompanied by some of victims filed a complaint at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office a week ago against Renante Nase, Reniel Nase, Julius Valerio, and Henric David belonging to the group 101st Balangay PCGA Inc.
He said the “recruits” were promised to receive benefits from cooperative to be formed and other sources adding each of them shelled out at least P18,000 for transpo and food allowance, uniform, and other expenses for months of training.
PCG Bataan Station commander said they charged the respondents of cases of estafa, usurpation of authority, and unlawful use of logo and insignias.
“Ang inyong Philippine Coast Guard at ang kanyang civilian arm, ang PCG Auxiliary sa Bataan,ay lubos n masaya dahil pinaunlakan ng ating mga mahal n kababayan ng Bataan ang aming invitation na sila ay makasama sa lehitimong group ng PCGA”, Serote said.
“Ang orientation activity na ito ay isang paraan upang maging aware at maitama ang maling public perception na nagmula sa pekeng PCGA na tumatanggap ng financial compensation ang sumasali dito. Ang mga myembero ng PCGA kailanman po hindi binibigyan ng sweldo o allowance. Ang kanilang perks” bilang members ng PCGA ay ang pagkakaroon ng karapatang maisuot ang official uniforms intended for PCGAs sa iba’t ibang activities nito at syempre ang “thank you” at matatamis na ngiti ng mga kababayan natin na kanilang natutulungan,” he added.
The orientation was led by Serote, Coast Guard Auxilliary Commodore Enrico Yuzon, and Coast Guard Auxiliary Capt. Martin Maranas.
Earlier one of the victims Antonio Allecer from Mariveles appealed,” Ang kahilingan sana namin ay iayos ang kalagayan namin dahil iisa lang naman ang layunin namin at yon ay makatulong sa bayan kaya sana ay tanggapin kami ng coast guard at ituloy na lang ang serbisyo.”