A MAN who pretended to be the chief of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) was arrested in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Monday.
Police identified the suspect as Noel Celestino, a native of General Santos City.
Superintendent D’Artagnan Katalbas, city police chief, said in an interview that Celestino attended a church activity, where he introduced himself as a police official of the province.
He told a group of pastors that he was Senior Superintendent Noel Garcia, newly-installed provincial director of Nocppo, and asked for P1,500 from one of them.
The pastors even booked him a room in a hotel.
Celestino was traced after he was reported by a policeman, whom he also deceived.
He assured the policeman that he will help him in his reassignment.
Charges for usurpation of authority will be filed against Celestino, who is detained at the station. (GYM)