An Indian national, who is suspected to be a member of a robbery-extortion syndicate in the Philippines, was arrested in Pasig City last Oct. 20, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.
The NBI identified the suspect as Harjit Singh who was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the bureau's Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD).
But the NBI said that Harjit's companion, Vikramjit Singh, managed to escape during the operation.
Both Harjit and Vikramjit have been charged with robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, grave threats under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) as amended, and resistance and disobedience to person in authority under Article 151 of the RPC, the NBI said.
It said that "according to the complainant, Vikramjit called and informed complainant that the complainant needs to pay P1 Million protection money for him to operate business peacefully, otherwise, he and his family will be killed."
“Complainant found out that Vikramgit is a wanted man in India with a bounty of 500,000 INR (Indian Rupee) and a member of an organized criminal syndicate here in the Philippines composed of Indian nationals whose modus operandi is Robbery Extortion operating in Pasig City,” it added.
During the entrapment operation, the NBI said Harjit was the one who went out to meet and receive money from the complainant after a deal was reached to make an initial payment of P100,000.
“Harjit attempted to escape and threw away the envelope containing the entrapment money. Fortunately, AOTCD operatives were able to catch him. Harjit stubbornly resisted apprehension but was eventually subdued. Vikramjit Singh was able to immediately drive away from the scene,” it said.