A MEMBER of an organization allegedly involved in a pyramiding scam filed a complaint before the Davao City Anti-Scam Unit (Casu) after she failed to receive the benefits promised to her.
Representatives of the Mindanao Grassroots People's Coalition (MGPC) went to the Casu office Friday, June 29, to deny the allegations, said Casu investigator Ben Habili.
Based on the complaint, a certain Jereza Dela Rosa Bañados, 27, married, of Purok 6 Asang Pañan, Calinan, Davao City personally went to the Casu office to ask for assistance.
The complainant said that MGPC allegedly asked her and other members to pay a P300 membership fee in order to avail of benefits such as P50,000 worth of groceries which may be claimed within two months.
Another P650 membership fee will entitle members to get any position plus P50,000 grocery items, P35,000 cash and motorcycle.
Bañados said she signed up upon the invitation of her friend Edna.
She said the group allegedly uses the membership fees collected to purchase pigs and cows for export purposes.
However, months after she registered, she has not received any of those benefits promised to her.
The AJC Sisters from Tugbok District also sent a text message to City Mayor's Office chief of staff Raul Nadela with the same complaint.
Upon receipt of the complaint, Casu conducted an investigation and found the complaint to be true.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has cautioned the public against dealing with the group.
Habili said they were building up the case and gathering enough evidence against the group. They plan to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the police for further investigation and for the filing of cases.
Duterte-Carpio issued a warning against MGPC and other groups like Caesar City Corporation, Mindanao Bunkers Monetary Council, Mindanao Indigenous Sovereign People for CCC, Mindanao Golden Mind Filipino, Mindanao Filipino Religious Sectors, and the Mindanao Filipino Youth Leaders for CCC.
"The Davao City Anti-Scam Unit has already conducted a preliminary background check on these groups and uncovered a possible pyramiding scam. The unit has already endorsed this matter to the National Bureau of Investigation for appropriate and urgent action," she said.
On June 23, these groups held an activity at the gymnasium of Barangay Mintal in Tugbok District, Davao City. Attendees were informed that the activity was not supported by the city government of Davao.
She likewise denied any connection with Robert Manaois or Julius See, both identified as representatives of MGPC.
The MGPC led by Manaois gathered Friday outside the Casu office and denied all the allegations being associated to their organization. He also denied that they have monetary collection and cited that the organization is voluntary.
