Fake city hall employee nabbed

ANGELES CITY: A woman was nabbed in an entrapment operation on Monday, January 29, for pretending to be a city hall employee and collecting cash from her victims for a housing project that did not exist.

The entrapment operation stemmed from a complaint by Daniel Pascua of Porac town for alleged usurpation of authority, falsification of public documents, robbery extortion and estafa against Jessel Vitente of Cutud who claimed to be an employee of the Angeles City Human Settlements and Urban Development (ACHSUD).

Vitente was arrested by operatives from Angeles City Police Office Station 3 for collecting cash from Pascua for an alleged housing project located in Barangay Pulung Cacutud.

Vitente allegedly offered the housing project to Pascua, who paid the processing fee of P2,300 and monthly amortization of P1,499.

Upon noticing that the documents issued by Vitente looked fake, the complainant went to the Angeles City Hall to verify if the suspect is affiliated with the ACHSUD.

He also checked the legitimacy of the housing project and the documents he received from Vitente.

The ACHSUD, meanwhile, confirmed that there is no such housing project and they have no employee by the name of Jessel Vitente.

The ACHSUD immediately reported the complaint to Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr.

Lazatin later learned from the Human Resources and Management Office that Vitente was affiliated with the city government from July 1, 2019 to Oct. 5, 2023 under the Civil Security Unit.

Records of the Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council also showed that Vitente did not comply with the city government’s mandatory drug testing, and was terminated from her job.

“Not in any way is she still connected with the city government,” Lazatin said.

“We do not tolerate such act. Let this be a warning. Don’t use the name of the city government for your illegal activities.”

The mayor then ordered the local police to investigate and help the alleged victim.

“An entrapment operation was conducted and the suspect was arrested,” the mayor said.

A police report said there are at least five other individuals who fell victim to Vitente.

“We condone any kind of unlawful act. There is no place for this in this administration,” Lazatin said.

Lazatin, meanwhile, reminded the residents of Angeles City that all official projects and announcements from the city government are posted and updated via the Facebook page of Angeles City Information Office.

He also urged Angeleños to immediately report to authorities any suspicious activities in their community.