A RETIRED police officer was arrested and is now facing charges of graft after being implicated in a fake police pensioners scam.
Based on the report from PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS), on September 5, at about 3:07 PM the suspect was identified as retired SP04 Romeo T Arela, 65, was arrested in his residence located at No. 114 Carigma E. Tanag, Extension, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal by the elements of PRBS in coordination with the personnel Of CIDG- DSOU and Police Station 9 (PS-9) of Quezon City police.
The arrest was implemented by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest dated November 12, 2018, issued by Hon. Edgardo A. Bellosillo, Judge. Regional Trial Court, National Capital Judicial Region, Branch 95, Quezon City under Criminal Case No. R-QZN-18-13991-14001 with recommended bail of P30,000.00 each.
“Retired SPO4 Arela was criminally and administratively charged for defrauding the government of millions of pesos through the “Ghost Pension Scam” in the PNP, PNP Officer-in-Charge Police Lieutenant General Jose Chiquito Malayo revealed.
The suspect was charged with malversation of public funds and violation of the anti-graft and corruption practices act.
Malayo said, a fact finding investigation also recommended the filing of eleven (11) counts of Violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 against Arela in the Regional Trial Court. Branch 95, Quezon City.
“We emphasize that this operation became successful through the cooperation and support of the community who helped us build the nation ensuring the safety of everyone through our KASIMBAYANAN program. This can only be achieved if we actively participate in our quest to curb criminality,” Malayo added.
