A 54-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after alert staff at a government satellite office caught him attempting to claim public financial assistance using fake identification cards and documents under multiple names.
The incident occurred around 4:20 PM on September 9 at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Baclaran Satellite Office, located inside a mall along Redemptorist Road in Barangay Baclaran.
According to police reports, the suspect presented medical certificates and identification cards to apply for cash aid.
However, a quick system verification by DSWD social workers revealed glaring discrepancies, showing that the applicant was carrying identification cards bearing different identities.
Recognizing the attempted deception, DSWD personnel immediately flagged officers from the Baclaran Police Sub-Station.
Responding police officers arrived shortly after to take the suspect into custody.
Investigators confirmed that the suspect allegedly attempted to misrepresent his identity to illegally secure government funds intended for legitimate beneficiaries.
The suspect remains in police custody and faces formal charges for Attempted Estafa as well as violations of Article 178 of the Revised Penal Code (Use of Fictitious Name and Concealment of True Identity) before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office.
Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano, Officer in Charge of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), commended the swift joint action between social workers and local police, reiterating that public assistance programs must be protected from exploitation.
“Government assistance must reach those who truly need it,” PBGEN Abrahano said.
“We will act promptly against anyone who attempts to exploit public programs through deception, while ensuring that every case is handled fairly and in accordance with due process,” Abrahano added.
