THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to deregister, or cancel the registration, what it described as a “bogus” PCG auxiliary group that includes former Interior undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño as an incorporator.
In a statement, the PCG said it sought the de-registration of the 101st Balangay PCGA (Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary) Inc. last Wednesday.
It said it has likewise filed charges of estafa, usurpation of authority and unlawful use of logo and insignias against the group before the Balanga City Prosecutors Office last January 13.
“Investigation revealed that 101st Balangay PCGA, Inc. registered with the SEC without the PCG’s authority on 04 August 2022,” it said.
The group’s incorporators include Diño, a PCG auxiliary commodore; Renante Nase, Agustin Soria Jr, Laurence Nase, Reniel Nase, Jerry Delos Santos, and Christine Lingat.
PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said the PCG learned about the unauthorized registration of the group after it received intelligence reports that it has been recruiting and charging fees from its members.
“They have been warned accordingly. We will coordinate with other law enforcement agencies like the NBI (National Bureau of Immigration) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) to effect arrest should they continue to misrepresent the PCG and solicit money from ordinary people they are recruiting in the rural areas,” said Balilo.
PCG said the group conducted induction ceremonies and wore uniforms, insignias, and ranks, suggesting that they are part of the PCG and PCG auxiliary.
It likewise said that the group misrepresented that PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu and other senior officials of the Coast Guard authorized their activities.
“They have to respect the PCG as an armed organization and preserve the sanctity of wearing the uniform,” Balilo said.
The PCG warned the public that the unauthorized use of the name of the Department of Transportation, PCG and PCG auxiliary, uniforms, logos, and insignias under pretenses constitutes estafa if committed on a large scale.
So far, the bogus group has recruited 500 Bataan residents, 50 of whom joined the PCG in the filing of the criminal cases before the Balanga court.
PCG communications officer Joy Gumatay said Diño had been previously briefed “on the do’s and don’ts of the civilian volunteer arm.”
