Tarlac task force quarry head nabbed for extortion
The task force quarry head of Tarlac City was nabbed in an entrapment operation on Monday for extortion, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) reported.
In its statement, ARTA said Pedro Soliman II was arrested in the joint entrapment operation conducted with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Tarlac and Tarlac City Police Station at the Tarlac City Hall on Monday afternoon.
The operation was launched three days after a private citizen reported the alleged extortion activities to the ARTA.
WATCH: Footage from the joint operation of ARTA, CIDG-Tarlac, and Tarlac City Police that led to the arrest of the head of the city's task force quarry (man in white polo shirt). The operation stemmed from an extortion complaint. (ARTA) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/XxmCHHJwb8
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) May 24, 2021
According to ARTA, a private citizen sought their help on May 21, claiming that she went to the Tarlac City Hall to pay a fee of P42,000 for booklets of delivery receipts, a requirement for operating a quarrying firm.
She was then asked by Soliman to pay P10,000 per finished booklet or a total of P240,000 in exchange for her Tarlac City quarry clearance.
The complainant asked if she can pay in three installments of P80,000 each to which Soliman agreed. He instructed the complainant to make the initial payment on Monday, May 24, 2021.
After the victim handed the entrapment money, the suspect was immediately arrested by the combined elements of ARTA, CIDG-Tarlac, and Tarlac City Police.
ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica congratulated CIDG-Tarlac for their quick response to the case.
"We thank ARTA-CIDG-TARLAC CPS TEAM for the prompt action following a complaint of extortion in Tarlac City Hall," he said.
"Your immediate response to a complaint by a citizen in distress demonstrates your commitment to service and the Filipino people," he added.
Soliman is now under the custody of CIDG-Tarlac. He may face charges for violation of Section 21 of the Ease of Doing Business Act and for other offenses.
He is set to undergo inquest proceedings on Tuesday morning, May 25.