The National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-Davao) warned the public of real estate companies illegally selling subdivision lots.
Ely Leano, spokesperson of NBI-Davao, said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday that this type of scam is popular nowadays.
“Maraming mga real estate companies offering to the public lots in a very low price. These real estate companies do not have proper certifications or licenses from the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) to sell para they can legitimately engage into this kind of activity na pagbebenta ng mga subdivision lots,” he said.
He reported that NBI-Davao apprehended four individuals during their operation against a real estate company based in Tagum City last month.
Of the four arrested individuals, two were indicted by the Prosecutor’s Office.
“In that operation apat yung nahuli namin pero based on the findings of the Prosecutor’s Office dalawa lang ang na indict but we do regular filing on the manager and operators of this real estate company. Merong mga regular filing of cases pa kaming gagawin,” said Leano.
Leano said the real estate company has no license to sell from the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD).
He said 20 complainants sought help from NBI-Davao against this company.
“There are 20 individuals who suffered financial damages. May P15 million ang naibayad kasi they are thinking na legit ang operation so they would buy as much as their money can afford. The bottom line is walang license ang company from DHSUD. Kahit na may clearance sila from the LGU, may DTI permit, pero ang may controlling factor dito is yung license to sell,” Leano said.
Some of these individuals are already house and lot owners and just bought lots as investment hoping they could resell the property at a higher price.
“Ginagawa nilang business, thinking they can have a good return of investment,” Leano said.
Leano said the apprehended individuals will be charged in violation of Presidential Decree 957 otherwise known as “Subdivision and Condominium Buyer’s Protective Decree” wherein the primary purpose of this decree is to protect the buyers of condominium projects and subdivision developments against misrepresentations and fraudulent activities of developers, sellers and operators.
“Itong selling of subdivision lots without the license from the DHSUD, aside from the case of estafa may swindling din,” he said.
He said they are still verifying if the said company has a branch in Davao City.
In 2021, DHSUD reported that there has been an increasing number of illegal residential subdivision projects in Davao Region.
It also reminded prospective buyers that a legal subdivision project should be on a titled parcel of land, partitioned with or without improvements, and sellers should be able to present a government-approved plan and corresponding certificated permits.
