BoC warns public vs scammers

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña clarified on Friday that he is not soliciting funds for charity projects.

Lapeña said there’s no truth to circulating text messages which ask for monetary assistance thru a certain Atty. Vasquez.

Lapeña further cautioned the public against unscrupulous individuals who introduce themselves as members of his staff and ask for cash donations.

“I never authorized or ordered anyone from my office to solicit money on my behalf. I am also not involved in any fundraising activity as reportedly claimed by Vasquez,” said Lapeña.

Some Customs brokers recently reported to the Bureau of Customs (BoC) that a certain Atty. Vasquez, claiming as the chief of staff of Lapeña, called and sent them messages asking brokers and importers to give money or donations for charity purposes and/or fundraising efforts initiated by the Customs chief.

Lapeña said there is no Atty. Vasquez connected to his office and that the alleged charity project is a fraud.

He added he does not and will not ask financial favors from anyone.

Based on the reports, Vasquez was selling raffle tickets worth ₱15,000 as church donation and soliciting money for a BoC charity project in Zambales and even mentioning the name of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as project partner.