One of the suspects who was arrested by CIDG operatives for namedropping First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in their extortion activities. (photo: CIDG)
They thought it would be a jackpot day—an easy P5 million— until they were shown police badges and guns.
Three people, who were namedropping First lady Marie Louise Araneta Marcos in their extortion racket, were arrested during an entrapment operation in Pasay City on Monday night, March 11.
Police Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr., director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said one of the arrested suspect is a member of the Philippine Marine Corps, identified as 42-year old German Reveza.
Two others, Francisco “Isko” Una, 48; and Joselito Agtuca, 46, were collared after they showed up at the Bluebay Walk, Metropolitan Park Building, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard supposedly to collect the money from a businessman engaged in emission testing and medical clinic at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
“It was this alias Isko who has been claiming that he has a direct connection with the First Lady,” said Caramat.
“He and his two other companions have been threatening the victim that they would have all his businesses shut down if they would not yield to their demand, P5 million,” he added.
Caramat said the operation stemmed from the complaint of the victim who told the police that the suspects told him that they could protect his business in exchange for P5 million.
“And if he would refuse, this alias Isko told him that he would use his influence by directly talking to the First Lady for all his businesses to be closed,” said Caramat.
It was then that the victim sought the assistance of the CIDG.
(photo: CIDG)
Seized from the suspects were the marked money, a handgun with live bullets and other identification cards.
Caramat said the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the arresting unit for proper disposition while the suspects will be facing a criminal complaint for violation of Art. 293 of the Revised Penal Code (Robbery Extortion) before the City Prosecutor’s Office of Pasay City.
Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), lauded the CIDG for the successful operation.
He called on the public to immediately report any similar modus to the police for immediate action.
Caramat, for his part, said investigation is still being conducted to determine if the three suspects were able to extort money from other businesses using the same modus.
"The CIDG calls on the public to be alert and critical about the identity of the person you are transacting with and I have instructed my operatives to step up its efforts in the arrest of these criminals within the bounds of the law," said Caramat.