IN a decisive move to combat fraudulent claimants and falsified documents, the Philippine National Police has escalated its efforts, with the arrest of a 69-year-old female and the indictment filing of six others.
Estela Buncag, an applicant seeking pension transfer, was arrested in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City at on Tuesday at 3:00 pm, during a joint operation conducted by the Puerto Princesa City Police Office’s Police Station 2 and the PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS) Palawan Satellite Office.
The arrest was effected pursuant to a Warrant of Arrest issued on May 31, 2023, by Hon. Maria Ella Cecilia D. Dumlao-Escalante, Presiding Judge of Branch 35, Metropolitan Trial Court, National Capital Judicial Region, Quezon City where Buncag is facing charges for Falsification of Public Documents.
PBGen Niño David Rabaya, Director PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS) revealed, “The suspect is currently facing criminal charges for submitting falsified documents during the application process for PNP pension benefits. The diligent scrutiny carried out by the PRBS personnel led to the discovery of this fraudulent document.”
Moreover, six other individuals who had also applied for pension benefits are now facing charges for similar violations. Once their respective Warrants of Arrest are issued, a comprehensive manhunt operation will be launched to apprehend them.
PGen Benjamin Acorda, Jr., Chief PNP congratulated the PRBS personnel led by Rabaya for their commitment to duty that led to the arrest of the suspect.
“This aggressive law enforcement campaign against all forms of criminality, whether under the Revised Penal Code or Violation of Special Laws, is a key aspect of our focused agenda,” Acorda said.
