Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government will assist the 45 victims of an illegal recruitment scam that promised victims entry into the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Lacson said Monday, September 18, that they have already referred them to the Hall of Justice in La Carlota City, where there is a Public Attorney's Office and a Prosecutor's Office.

"Instead of still going to Bacolod City, I told them to go to La Carlota as it is nearer to them, and they have already shelled out a lot of money," Lacson said.

"It is very unfortunate. There have been so many scams before that have been covered by the media. But we still have Negrenses who believe in an offer that will guarantee job placement," he said.

He added, "You can't blame them. They are desperate. There's a competition to get into the PNP. It's very unfortunate that they still fall for it.”

La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, in a press conference on Friday, September 15, said the victims filed separate complaints before the La Castellana Police Station against Councilor Donato Dumaguit and a certain Mary Jun Delos Santos of Bacolod City.

Mangilimutan said the victims paid amounts ranging from P247,000 to as much as P300,000 each for them to enter the police service even if they were neither qualified nor eligible.

Among the victims, two are residents of Bacolod City, six are residents of Moises Padilla, and 37 are residents of La Castellana.*