ANGELES CITY – A city councilor here has warned the public against shadowy individuals soliciting money in the name of retired Bishop Paciano Aniceto or “Apu Ceto.”
“Apu Ceto” has no Facebook account.
A warning to the public posted in Facebook said “such solicitation letters/messages from that account is a scam.”
It can be recalled that Angeles City Councilor Jesus Sangil received a private message from the Facebook account Abp Paciano Aniceto [Apu Ceto] asking for financial assistance.
The message states: “Jay, mayap a yabak. Im a caling Max peru he is not answering. Atin kung makisabi kung mayap Malyari ya bang makapag-solicit? Atyu ku keng Cebu ngeni mig attend Conference of Asian Emeritus Bishops. I am bringing Bishop Okado of Tokyo and Archbp. Ikenaga of Osaka there in Sn. Fdo. [Jay good morning. I’m calling Max but he is not answering. I am appealing if he can make a solicitation. I am in Cebu right now attending the Conference of Emeritus Bishops…]
“We are raising for some amount for their fare ining huwebes Kung malyari ya, [If he is able] please send your donation c/o Sr. Alfie H. Crusis Dominican House of Prayer, Lahug, Cebu City, through any money courier pls E mu kakalingwan [Please don’t forget] text me the details such as sender, tracking number and amount at my number 0926-1519370. Dakal a salamat. Panalangin daka [Thank you very much. I’m praying for you].”
Sangil called the cellphone number in the message which was answered by a certain Alfie who told him in Capampangan that he was from the seminary. Sangil asked for Apu Ceto but the connection was choppy so he decided to just text him.
A certain Fr. Paul Cabrera, allegedly the bishop’s secretary then answered the text message and said that Apu Ceto was in the auditorium attending an event in Cebu.
Fr. Cabrera’s demeanor aroused Sangil’s suspicion. The councilor later found out the bishop was never in Cebu and stayed at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary during the event because he was sick.