Man arrested in Cebu for using Panelo’s name

MANILA -- Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Thursday a swindler who has been using his name on social media to trick people has been arrested in Cebu City.

Panelo said a so-called Jose Villafuerte, also known as Eduardo Llanera, was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents.

He said the scammer may be presented for inquest at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly scamming over half a million pesos.

The NBI agents were able to track Villafuerte/ Llanera and spoke to him online through chat.

“O ‘di nahuli kasi nagentrapment; nag-deposit, o ‘di huli siya (He was caught in an entrapment operation after the agents deposited money),” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“He was arrested, and I’d like to commend the NBI agents, especially of course the Director, Atty. Dante Gierran, for a job well done,” he added.

Panelo, meanwhile, warned unscrupulous individuals against committing fraudulent schemes.

“This should forewarn

other swindlers. The long arm of the law will catch up with you. And also advise friends of mine and friends of other FB account holders to be very careful in dealing with people pretending to be you,” he said.

In December, Panelo deactivated his official Facebook account following the rise of online scams involving his name.

He said swindlers used his Facebook account to ask for donations for victims of Typhoon Ompong and the Marawi siege.