CIDG collars man for ‘duping’ contractors

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

At least eight contractors accused a 69-year-old man of hoodwinking them into taking part in his “lock-in” scheme.

Leonardo Acanto, 69, a resident of Barangay Tumay, Mina, Iloilo, a retired insurance company manager, was arrested in an entrapment operation on Oct 26, 2021 inside a mall in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Iloilo City field unit, together with the 602nd Regional Mobile Force Company, ran after Acanto after two contractors complained on Oct 8 accusing the latter of reneging on his promise to get them a DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) project.

The suspect allegedly promised them of a “lock-in” construction project.

By lock-in scheme, “the suspect promised that the project will be awarded in their favor,” Major Jess Baylon, CIDG-Iloilo City chief, said.

In return, the contractors will pay Acanto two percent of the total project amount.

Once the project is awarded to them, Acanto allegedly asked for an additional 10 percent.

He claimed to have a connection with an undersecretary assigned to the Office of the President for Special Projects.

During the entrapment operation, the lady complainant handed P300,000 cash covering Acanto’s share in a bypass road project in Barangay Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Baylon said they have complainants from the city and province of Iloilo and Antique who reportedly paid a total of P1.5 million to the suspect.

Other complainants from Capiz and other areas handed P1.2 million to the suspect.

Baylon said they expect more persons to lodge complaints against Acanto after his arrest.