CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – Police nabbed a man who posed as a lawyer and a Malacanang official and extorted a total of P700,000 from tenants of a commercial complex involved in a legal dispute in Binan City, Laguna on Tuesday, February 6.
The suspect was identified as Datu Marcus Mastura, 27, of Malate, Manila.
The Police Regional Office 4-A Regional Intelligence Division-Regional Special Operations Unit 4-A, with the Biñan City Police Station, arrested Mastura in an entrapment operation.
Police said Mastura presented himself as the legal counsel of the former owners of the commercial complex.
Investigation said Mastura demanded monthly rentals from numerous tenants and complainants despite lacking the proper legal authority.
Alarmed by the suspect's actions, the victims sought police assistance.
Police conducted a thorough investigation and uncovered that Mastura is not a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
MASTURA'S fake ID
An entrapment operation was conducted where the suspect was apprehended and recovered from him were a Malacañang ID with the name Datu Phe G. Mastura, one social welfare identification card with the name Datu Marcuz A. Mastura, boodle money, and a laptop.
PRO 4-A chief Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas lauded the arrest of the suspect. He encouraged other victims to step up and file case against the suspect.
Suspect is under the custody of the Biñan police station and facing charges for robbery and extortion and usurpation of authority.