NBI Arrested 2 Fraudsters Posing as DITO Staff to Scam Landowners in Isabela
The National Bureau of Investigation-Isabela District Office (NBI-ISDO) has arrested two fraudsters after posing as DITO telecom staff to scam landowners.
Felido C. Bautista, Juliet Bautista, Ryan Bautista, and Florencio Padernal Sr., as well as workers of B. Bautista Quality Construction Builders, INC., who claim to be affiliated with DITO, were identified as the major subjects by NBI Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Director Eric B. Distor.
According to Distor, the lawsuit originated from an alleged telecommunications fraud ring that targeted landowners in Isabela province and parts of Region 2. According to an NBI-ISDO informant, Bautista Quality Construction is claiming to be DITO’s primary contractor.
With his ruse, the alleged scammer and bogus civil engineer has duped people in Isabela province. The strategy is to pretend to have the authority and capacity to select and authorize specific land areas in Region 2 for the construction of DITO towers.
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According to reports, the DITO aims to lease land for P3 million to P3.5 million per year for the next ten years. Those who meet the requirements for the requested land area must submit photocopies of required documents such as a land title, a tax declaration, and a valid ID.
After that, qualified landowners must pay a fee ranging from P60,000 to P65,000 for relocation, backfill, and a map of the area. However, the projected building of DITO towers has not taken place since 2020.
The name Felido does not appear in the database of all Engineering professions who are authorized to practice Engineering in the Philippines, according to certification from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. DITO does not recognize Felido as an approved agent, contractor, or subcontractor.
As a result, a land speculator asked for a permit to buy land in Bautista. Following confirmation of the Subjects’ fraud operation, Search Warrants were requested, and the RTC Second Judicial Region, Santiago City issued the warrants against the accused.
Felido fell as the operatives were ready to arrest the suspect, leading them to bring him to the hospital. Due to the commotion in the area of operation, Jhet and some employees managed to flee and elude arrest.
Ryan and Florencio, however, were immediately taken into custody, apprised of their rights, and were brought to NBI-ISDO for booking procedures. The suspects face Estafa and violation of R.A.544, as amended (Civil Engineering Law).
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