By Jeffrey Damicog
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested three persons who have been posing as its agents and extorting money from online gambling establishments.
National Bureau of Investigation (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
NBI Director Dante Gierran identified the three suspects as retired Army Capt. Mark Steven Mediamar, Rustico Samarinta, and Antonio Monte De Ramos Jr.
Gierran said the Bureau acted over a complaint of an online gambling establishment which said the suspects claimed to be NBI agents and have threatened to conduct an operation against it if it does not pay up.
The NBI’s Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU) arrested Mediamar and Samarinta during an entrapment operation in Taguig City.
Operatives seized from the two suspects a hand grenade and a handgun.
De Ramos was later arrested the same day during a follow-up operation also in Taguig City by the NBI-SAU which found in his possession three plastic sachets containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.
Following the arrest of the three, they were presented before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest on charges of robbery and extortion, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms, usurpation of authority and illegal possession of dangerous drugs.