Fake usec nabbed inside military camp

A man posing as an undersecretary and head of an anti-smuggling task force under the Office of the President was arrested at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City Friday.

The suspect, identified as Perfecto Pornebo Jr., 62, was caught by police officers and soldiers at the building of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force National Capital Region at around noon.

A report from the Quezon City Police District said Pornebo posed as the chief of the Presidential AntiSmuggling Task Force Sea Eagle, an agency purportedly under the Office of the President.

Prior to his arrest, Pornebo occupied three offices at the country's main military camp since May 15.

Superintendent Ophelio Dakila Concina Jr., commander of Project 4 Police Station 8 which has territorial jurisdiction over Camp Aguinaldo, said military officers sought their assistance for Pornebo's arrest after obtaining a certificate from Malacañang that stated he is not a government official.

The anti-smuggling task force is also not included in the list of government agencies under the president's office.

“The military sought our assistance in arresting Pornebo,” said Concina over the phone.

Another police official said Pornebo was allowed to hold office in Camp Aguinaldo upon the recommendation of retired military officials.

However, the AFP officers became suspicious when people in their 60s were seen visiting Pornebo's office. It later turned out the suspect was recruiting members to his group with the promise of a monthly salary of P60,000 each.