Impersonator targets Iloilo officials in scam attempts

By Jennifer L. Rendon

An impostor, posing as Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Colonel Joeresty Coronica, has returned from a lengthy hiatus, attempting to defraud city officials.

This Tagalog-speaking con artist targeted the offices of Iloilo City Councilors Ely Estante and Urminico Baronda, seeking contractor referrals under the guise of Coronica. Both councilors avoided the trap by verifying with the real Coronica.

The swindler also called the Iloilo City Mayor’s Office, asking for Mayor Jerry Treñas to endorse a rice dealer for a purported 80-sack donation to seniors.

Treñas’ staff confirmed the request’s authenticity with Coronica who also conducted his own sleuthing.

The poser consistently used the same phone number for these calls.

On Monday, Coronica contacted the number to inquire about the requests. The caller remained silent upon being questioned if he was impersonating Coronica.

“It was a good thing that no one believes in a modus operandi like that,” said the genuine Coronica, suspecting the imposter intended to exploit his name to gain favors from the contacted contractors or rice dealers.

Previously, fraudsters imitating former Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) directors fooled town mayors into sharing contractor contacts.

One scam involved a request for P5,000 in mobile load cards. While the scammer imitating IPPO director Colonel Roland Velila had a Hiligaynon accent, the same ploy was used by the impersonator of then IPPO chief, now Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A Director Brigadier General Paul Kenneth Lucas, which sadly led some mayors to send the phone load.

The scam has a history, having exploited the name of former Guimaras Governor and current Buenavista Mayor Samuel Gumarin, targeting local establishments in April 2019.

Similar incidents using the names of former Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and Tapaz Mayor Roberto Palomar occurred in Iloilo City and Capiz, resulting in substantial losses for local businesses.