NO SOLICITATION. Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (right) inspects a scale model of a Philippine National Railways train. The DOTr on Tuesday warned against individuals or groups soliciting investments for the Mindanao Railway Project, a project funded through an official development assistance from China. (File photo)

MANILA -- Individuals or groups found soliciting investments for the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) would be prosecuted "to the full extent of the law" once caught, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Tuesday.

In an advisory, the DOTr warned the public against scammers using the name of President Rodrigo Duterte to solicit money purportedly for the MRP, a project financed through official development assistance from China.

“We also clarify that the President does not allow his name to be mentioned in any activity to solicit/offer investments for the Mindanao Railway Project,” the advisory read.

The DOTr advised the public to report such activities to the agency for investigation.

The PHP81.69-billion MRP is one of the flagship projects under the Duterte administration.

Its Tagum-Davao-Digos segment of the 100-kilometer line is expected to reduce travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 2.5 hours to 1.3 hours.

Earlier this month, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said they expect the Tagum-Davao line to start partial operations by the second quarter of 2020. (PNA)