MANILA, Philippines — Law enforcement authorities in Pampanga have arrested two men, Antonio Oreño Cerbito and Ariel Oreño, for allegedly impersonating Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido and defrauding government suppliers.
The suspects were arrested on February 25 during a joint operation by the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Barangay Mapalad, Arayat, Pampanga.
According to a statement from the Army chief’s public affairs office, Cerbito and Oreño masterminded a scam targeting government suppliers. They used fake social media accounts to impersonate Galido and demanded “representation fees” from project holders and suppliers, exploiting the Army’s name for personal gain.
Army Spokesperson Col. Louie G. Dema-ala emphasized that the Philippine Army is committed to maintaining the integrity of its ranks and condemned such fraudulent schemes.
Both suspects face multiple charges, including illegal usurpation, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of illegal drugs. They are currently in PNP-CIDG custody as the investigation continues.
The Philippine Army issued a public reminder that no personnel, regardless of rank, is authorized to request monetary payments for any transactions, including recruitment fees.
“The arrest of these suspects underscores our zero tolerance for fraud, especially schemes that undermine the integrity of our organization,” Col. Dema-ala added.
