Camille Naredo

The Office of the Civil Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines participate in the Nationwide Earthquake Drill at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on March 25, 2024.

The Office of the Civil Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines participate in the Nationwide Earthquake Drill at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on March 25, 2024.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN

Article (news)

EARTHQUAKE DRILL

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (UPDATED) — She wore a decorated military uniform, adorned with medals and ribbons, and spoke with the authority of a former government insider. </p><p>To many, she projected credibility—someone who moved comfortably within official circles and business networks, someone whose causes were worth supporting. </p><p>But for at least three businesswomen, that image is now at the center of serious allegations involving millions of pesos and a trail of broken promises. </p><p>They have filed complaints for estafa, fraud, and the alleged illegal use of a military uniform at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. </p><p>In separate sit-down interviews with ABS-CBN News, the complainants described a pattern: initial introductions framed around advocacy work, followed by appeals for financial support tied to humanitarian or development projects. </p><p>The initiatives, they claim, were presented as urgent and legitimate, backed by the respondent’s supposed government connections and affiliations. </p><p>“You were thinking na puwede kang kumuha ng pera sa mga tao without even having consequences. Sa tingin mo, okay lang sa amin kuhaan ng pera? I mean, who the f*** do you think you are? Pinaghariapan namin ‘yong pera namin. And then suddenly nakipagkaibigan ka sa amin para kuhaan ng pera,” said one complainant who asked to be identified as Kristal. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/4/7/filipino-operators-among-8-arrested-in-50-million-hospice-fraud-targeting-the-dying-in-socal-1048"><strong>Filipino operators among 8 arrested in $50-million hospice fraud targeting the ‘dying’ in SoCal </strong></a> </div><p>Kitty, also not her real name, said she had shelled out at least ₱1.2 million to the respondent since 2023, including funds for outreach programs for the poor that allegedly did not materialize. </p><p>“Ang inaasahan ko kasi, mag-materialize ‘yong mga pinagsasabi niyang projects. Siyempre matagal ‘yon eh, sanay ako sa mga ganyang proseso na inaabot ng six months. So, talagang kaya umabot ng taon [bago ako naningil],” Kitty said. </p><p>“Pero nitong 2025 ko talaga napatunayan na hindi magma-materialize dahil walang katotohanan ‘yong mga sinasabi niya,” she added. </p><p>Kitty said she met the respondent through a non-government organization, and the two eventually became friends. She admitted she was convinced by the respondent’s projected persona. </p><p>“Siyempre, hindi mo naman iisipin na dating Asec. at high-profile na reservist—commander, lieutenant colonel—kaya nagtiwala kami sa kanya,” she said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Alleged ‘Ex-Deal’ Project<br/></strong></div><p>The respondent was also accused of promoting a supposed charity initiative involving infrastructure, lighting, and livelihood and education programs for Indigenous communities in Rizal—framed as part of an “ex-deal” arrangement in exchange for “a piece of land.” </p><p>Kristal said she was asked to give a series of payments: ₱10,000 for land clearing, ₱60,000 for a barangay captain’s birthday celebration, and additional amounts ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱40,000 on multiple occasions in 2025. </p><p>“She positioned herself as a DENR official—‘yon naman po lagi ang approach niya—and she always wears a uniform na soldier siya,” Kristal said, explaining why she trusted the respondent.</p><p>“Later on, napansin ko na wala naman talagang lupa,” she said. </p><p>Belle, Kristal’s friend, said she also invested ₱685,000 in the Rizal project with the expectation that they would eventually become neighbors. </p><p>“Hindi ko siya naisip na scam, honestly, up until si Kristal na lang ang nagsabi na scam siya,” Belle said. She added that she hopes to recover her money.</p><div> </div><div><strong>AFP PROBES</strong> </div><p>Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said a complaint has been filed before the Army’s Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs. The matter has been referred to the Reserve Command for investigation through the National Capital Region Defense Group. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/12/26/bir-warns-vs-foreign-trading-income-clearance-scam-1633"><strong>BIR warns vs &#x27;Foreign Trading Income Clearance&#x27; scam </strong></a> </div><p>“The Philippine Army will conduct an investigation to validate the information,” Dema-ala said, adding that delisting from the rolls is possible if the respondent is found guilty of illegal activities or misrepresentation. </p><p>Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the military is prepared to assist the complainants. </p><p>“The Philippine Army will be assisting the victims in pursuing their complaints, and appropriate action will be taken,” he said. </p><p>Dema-ala emphasized that a military reservist uniform is not worn indiscriminately; its use is governed by official authorization and specific orders. Violations may constitute usurpation of authority and misrepresentation of affiliation with the Philippine Army. </p><p>“Ang isang reservist ay makapagsusuot lamang ng kanyang uniform kapag siya ay called to active duty. Aside from that, hangga’t hindi siya natawag sa active duty, hindi siya puwedeng magsuot ng kanyang uniform except sa kanilang formation,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PREVIOUS ISSUES</strong> </div><p>The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) did not immediately respond to the request for comment. However, a document obtained by ABS-CBN News shows that the respondent previously faced administrative complaints in 2019 for alleged corruption and abuse of authority. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/19/pnp-warns-against-too-good-to-be-true-online-job-offers-0118"><strong>PNP warns against &#x27;too good to be true&#x27; online job offers </strong></a> </div><p>Prior to her appointment to the DENR in 2018, she was reportedly dismissed from the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor over alleged “unnecessary junkets.”</p><p>Asked for comment, the respondent declined, saying she has yet to receive a formal copy of the complaints and would need to consult a lawyer.</p>

<p>At least three businesswomen accuse a former DENR official and military reservist of soliciting millions for alleged bogus charity projects, prompting fraud and estafa complaints and an ongoing military investigation.</p>

At least three businesswomen accuse a former DENR official and military reservist of soliciting millions for alleged bogus charity projects, prompting fraud and estafa complaints and an ongoing military investigation.

Ex-DENR official, Army reservist accused of bogus charity, fraud

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Ex-DENR official, Army reservist accused of bogus charity, fraud

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 15, 2026 08:13 PM PHT

|

Updated April 26, 2026 11:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Army

AFP

estafa

fraud

DENR

Camp Aguinaldo

reservist

military

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