Wednesday, October 14, 2009

RP post warns Dutch Pinoys against scammers

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 10/13/2009 6:17 PM


Amid the overflowing of support from Filipinos around the world for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands warned them to be on the lookout for scammers.

Ambassador Cardoza Luna said there have been reported cases of scammers in the Philippines and other countries who are using the tragedy to collect money that go directly to their own pockets.
“Ang tawag sa mga ganun bwitre. Yung nagkakaron ng pagsasamantala doon sa mga sakuna na nangyayari sa ating kababayan gagamitin pa nilang pagkakataon iyun upang gumawa ng pakinabang na pansarili,” Luna said.

To Luna's knowledge, there is no such case yet reported in The Netherlands but he is already warning the Pinoys now not to immediately fall for those who are soliciting donations for the victims of the two typhoons.

There are several organizations and groups soliciting relief efforts for typhoon victims in the Philippines.

In fact, Luna said he has already been flooded with emails and phone calls from organizations and individuals asking for advice as to where they can send their money.

“Sa pamamagitan ng isang guidance na galing sa Department of Foreign Affairs, pinakalat natin yung mga channel ng pagpapadala ng donation whether in cash or in kind pero atin pong ine-encourage yung in cash dahil madaling makakarating agad ang tulong na binibigay nila,” Luna said.
Luna directs the Pinoys and other donors to the Embassy’s website at http://www.philembassy.nl/ for the list of government agencies and legitimate organizations which are accepting donations.
He discourages would-be scammers and called for unity among Pinoys in these desperate times.

“Pagtiwalaan natin ang ating pananampalataya sa isa’t-isa at sana ay yung pagiging Filipino natin ay buhayin natin, yung spirit ng pagtutulungan, bayanihan spirit,” Luna said.

People may also send their help through Sagip Kapamilya of the ABS-CBN Foundation.

as of 10/13/2009 6:17 PM

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