DAVAO CITY — Two individuals who allegedly posed as high-ranking officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) after they were caught falsely representing themselves as agency executives and allegedly using fake authority to inspect government infrastructure projects in Davao City.
The suspects, who introduced themselves as the “Chairman” and “Vice Chairman” of the DPWH, are now facing charges of usurpation of authority and falsification of public documents.
Authorities said the pair allegedly deceived individuals by claiming they held influential positions within the DPWH and possessed authority over the agency’s project funds. They reportedly used their fabricated identities to conduct inspections of ongoing infrastructure projects, creating the impression that they had official oversight and control over government-funded works.
The CIDG launched an operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspects after gathering evidence of their alleged fraudulent activities.
In the wake of the arrests, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon issued a strong warning to the public, urging citizens, contractors, suppliers, and local government officials to remain vigilant against individuals falsely claiming to represent the DPWH.
Dizon stressed that scammers and impostors often exploit the names of government agencies and senior officials to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims and facilitate unauthorized transactions involving public infrastructure projects.
He also warned that the government will not tolerate such schemes and vowed that those who exploit the DPWH’s name for personal gain will face the full force of the law.
The DPWH encouraged the public to immediately report any suspicious individuals claiming to be agency officials, especially those offering to facilitate, influence, or negotiate transactions involving DPWH-funded projects.
Anyone who encounters questionable activities involving persons claiming to represent the agency may report them through the DPWH Hotline 165-02 or by emailing citizens_feedback@dpwh.gov.ph for immediate verification and investigation.
The department reiterated that all official transactions involving DPWH projects must pass through authorized channels and legitimate government personnel, emphasizing that public vigilance remains crucial in preventing fraud and protecting government resources.