Fake soldier held for setting up fake ‘army’ Jeannette Andrade Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 29, 2009
MANILA, Philippines — A man posing as army soldier and recruiting people for his “military unit” in Imus, Cavite, was arrested Friday by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation.
NBI Director Nestor Mantaring identified the suspect during a press conference as Zioanis Abrantes, 33, a photo and video editor, who allegedly posed as a second lieutenant assigned at the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
Mantaring said Abrantes has already recruited more than 40 people to his pseudo-army.
Mantaring told reporters that Abrantes sought payment of between P500 and P3,000 from his recruits, depending on the rank which the applicant wished to achieve.
The NBI director explained that the suspect founded his “military group” last year, training 40 recruits through lectures and exercises that he downloaded from the Internet.
NBI agents learned of his operations through fake identification documents and pseudo-mission orders he allegedly issued to his “men,” who reportedly attended private and public functions in Metro Manila clad in full military uniform with military pins, patches, and insignias.
NBI Metro Manila head agent Edward Villarta explained that his office uncovered Abrantes’s operations following the arrest by the Pasay City police of a new recruit to his “army” for a simple traffic violation.
The recruit, Venerado Alterado, reportedly presented an ID card issued by Abrantes thinking it would spare him from an apprehension.
Villarta disclosed that on August 26, his men raided the suspect’s home in Imus and seized an unlicensed firearm, a rifle grenade, assorted ammunition, military uniforms, and several identification cards.
When asked why he chose such a mode of operation for a scam, the suspect told reporters, “This is simply for prestige. Because if you are a soldier, you receive respect,” adding that he always dreamed of becoming an officer of the AFP.
“Many trusted me. I searched the Internet and managed to get modules for military training. Many underwent training and they even graduated and thought that the military training is legitimate,” he said, claiming sole responsibility for his activities.
He asked forgiveness from the members of his “military group” and called on them to return the identification cards he issued.
Abrantes remains detained at the NBI jail, is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms, illegal use of uniform and insignia, usurpation of authority, and falsification by private individual and use of falsified document.
