Cebu City cop warns against poser using his name to collect debt
A POLICEMAN is complaining that some people are using his name in demanding payment for credit card debt.
PO3 Rommel Oporto of the Investigation and Detention Management Branch (IDMB) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) warned the public to be more vigilant when receiving a call from someone using his name to collect payment.
Oporto said he was shocked when Irene del Prado, officer-in-charge of the T. Padilla Public Market, confronted him on Tuesday at the IDMB office.
Del Prado complained that a man who identified himself as PO3 Rommel Oporto called her looking for one Rolando Rivera.
The caller said Rivera is facing charges for issuing checks with insufficient funds.
Del Prado told the caller that she didn’t know someone named Rolando Rivera. It was there that caller got angry and started shouting, said Del Prado.
Del Prado went to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and reported the incident to Senior Supt. Conrado Capa, acting chief of CCPO.
Capa advised Del Prado to proceed to the IDMB office but Oporto was not around.
It was last Wednesday when Del Prado and Oporto met at the IDMB office.
Oporto explained that he never making a phone call to Del Prado and he didn’t know a certain Rolando Rivera.
Also last Wednesday, a clerk of Day-as barangay hall went to the office after also receiving a call a from someone using the policeman’s name.
Rosette Pador said the angry caller demanded to settle her credit card debt.
Pador said when she talked to the policeman, she realized that Oporto’s voice was different from the one who called her over the phone.
Oporto said the fictitious caller may have gotten his identity through his picture posted outside the Mabolo Police Station recognizing him as Police Non-Commissioned Officer of the month.
Oporto was previously assigned as desk officer at the Mabolo Police Station.
“Don’t believe right away. Exert effort to clarify the issue. When you encounter this kind of incident, contact the IDMB in Cebu City since this has been the modus of some lawless elements,” said Oporto.
Cebu Daily News contacted the number used by the man in calling Del Prado and Pador.
A man answered the call and insisted he was Rommel Oporto although his voice was not similar as that of the IDMB operative.
Chief Insp. Aileen Recla, chief of IDMB, said an investigation is ongoing to identify the caller.
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