Five suspects were arrested in Tugbok at 12 noon on Friday for allegedly using spurious documents and certificates to claim medical assistance from the Lingap program.
According to Maj. Ricky Obenza, the commander of the Tugbok Police Station, personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Mintal called up their office for assistance.
Initial investigation showed that around 11:30 a.m. of April 12, Miriam Jover, 36, a resident of Purok 6, Barangay Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District; Arnel Ardeño, 27; Sherelyn Arañez, 29; Roxan Gingone, 22; and Cherry Antecristo, 36, all residents of Sitio Ilhan, Barangay Mandug, Buhangin District, went to the DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit in Mintal.
Retrieved from the suspects were documents “signed” by three doctors.
These were received by Sandra Mahinay and Analyn P. Romero, the DSWD personnel on duty at that time.
However, they discovered that the documents presented to them were a fake.
Jover was pointed as the mastermind of the alleged modus.
The suspects are now being held in the Tugbok Police Station.
“They forged all the documents to include the doctor and barangay captain’s signature,” he said.
While the concerned doctors decided not to sue the suspects, Obenza said the DSWD and the barangay captain will pursue the case against them.
