PNP arrests ex-Marcoses aide for fake undersec role

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested Simeon Sanger dela Cruz III, a 49-year-old former employee of the Marcoses, on Thursday at a five-star hotel in Pasay City for impersonating an undersecretary to manipulate government contracts.

Dela Cruz used photographs with the First Family and claimed to hold an undersecretary position to extort 3-5 percent kickbacks from contract prices, victimizing individuals who filed complaints against him with the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes (OSETC).

CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III emphasized that Dela Cruz was arrested while wearing formal attire and had previously collected millions of pesos from his victims.

The arrest was made by virtue of two arrest warrants for estafa issued by Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 160, with a recommended bail of PHP90,000.

CIDG chief warned other individuals about similar schemes involving false government connections and urged victims to coordinate with them regarding these fraudulent practices.

Investigation showed that the suspect was a legitimate employee of the First Family before President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos assumed office.

Authorities estimate that he may have defrauded multiple victims, with contract deals amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos.