Suspect in falsification racket at MMDA surrenders

FILE: SUSPECT IN FALSIFICATION RACKET SURRENDERS. MMDA general manager Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia (Middle) announces the surrender of Jonathan Natividad, one of the prime suspects in the alleged falsification and corruption scheme within the MMDA’s Anti-Jaywalking Unit (AJU). (Photo by Raymond Carl Dela Cruz via PNA)

MANILA — One of the suspects involved in an alleged falsification and corruption racket within the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Anti-Jaywalking Unit (MMDA-AJU) surrendered, an MMDA official said Thursday.

In a press briefing on Thursday, MMDA general manager Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia said one of three suspects, Jonathan Natividad, turned himself in and spoke with lawyers from the MMDA.

Natividad was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for questioning, Garcia said.

“Iimbestigahan siya kasi jursidication ng NBI ‘yun (He’ll be investigated by the NBI since that’s their jurisdiction),” Garcia said.

He said Natividad was convinced by his sibling, who is a policeman, to surrender and cooperate with the investigation.

The MMDA official said only one suspect remains at large, Frederick Arucan, while the establishment that printed the fake receipts used by the trio had also been identified.

“So ang hinahanap natin yung isa na lang. Pero identified na rin namin kung saan ‘yung printing. Nasa NBI na (So we’re now only looking for one more suspect. We have also identified the printer. It’s now with the NBI.),” he said.

Although there were some inconsistencies to his story, Garcia said he told Natividad to cooperate.

“Magsabi ka lang ng totoo tutulungan ko pa siya. May inconsistency, pero ang maganda, sumuko siya (Just talk truthfully and I’ll even help him. There are inconsistencies, but what matters is that he surrendered),” Garcia said.

Joanna Eclarinal, AJU deputy for operations, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly issuing falsified receipts to violators settling their offenses.

Garcia said there might be a syndicate within the AJU, saying the suspects were receiving payments for jaywalking tickets in their office at the seventh floor instead of the MMDA’s treasurer and issuing fake receipts.

Following the closure of the AJU office, its 48 workers including AJU chief Salvador Galang, were put on floating status pending investigation by the NBI.