LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III yesterday denounced the unauthorized use of his name for a social media account that is asking financial donations from unsuspecting victims and has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation.
In a statement, Bello said unscrupulous individuals are using the name “Silvestre H. Bello III” to illegally earn money.
“It is lamentable that some people would resort to this despicable scheme to besmirch my name for their advantage,” said Bello. “It is doubly deplorable that they would use falsehood and deception to victimize others in this time of crisis.”
“I have sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation to identify and go after those behind the fake account on Facebook,” said Bello.
Aside from using Bello’s name, the bogus FB account uses the photo and some official and personal details of the labor secretary, has as background photo the tarpaulin of the DOLE’s flagship program TUPAD and the official logo of the Department of Labor and Employment.
The fraudulent account has drawn unsuspecting officials and friends of Bello and already list 1,211 Facebook friends.
The statement was issued after the Facebook account of “Bello” publicly posted “Pwede ba kayo mag donate sa community pantry ko.”
The bogus social media page also claimed to be generating financial support allegedly for Bello’s election bid next year.
