Gov. Arthur Yap has offered legal assistance to the victims of the alleged “REPA”’scam affecting hundreds of Boholanos.
This comes as the governor has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate and file charges against the perpetrators of the alleged REPA scam.
“Sa atong mga kaigsuonang Bolanon nga nabiktima sa repa scam nga moadto sa Bohol Wisdom School gymnasium aron pag avail sa legal assistance nga gihatag sa Provincial Government, palihog sigurua pag dala ug usa ka valid ID ug mga proof sa inyong mga transaction aron mas mapadali ang atong pagproseso sa inyong mga papel,” the governor stated in a Facebook post on Oct. 11, 2021.
Moreover, the governor also signed on Oct. 10, 2021, Executive Order (EO) 49, which created a task force that will help expedite the probe and filing of cases against the perpetrators of the alleged “REPA” scam.
In a radio interview aired in the Provincial Government-sponsored program on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, the governor said he is saddened to learn that there are Boholanos who were victimized by the alleged scam, which he called as a “Ponzi scheme”.
The governor added that all indicators show that the alleged scam is an illegal way to solicit investments which duped the victims of their hard earned money.
The governor made the statement as an offshoot of complaints from victims of the “REPA” scam where hundreds of victims stormed Camp Francisco Dagohoy on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 and Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 to file complaints against those who are behind the scheme.
Yap said the absence of permits and licenses from regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should already be a red flag to indicate that the “REPA” scheme spells trouble.
The governor wants to have cases against the suspects as soon as possible to help the victims recover their lost investments.
“Kinahanglan maseguro nato ang possibility nga mabalik ang ilang [victims] mga tinigum,” the governor said in the radio interview.