Japanese national, 2 Pinoys arrested for 'death threats' – NBI
A Japanese and two Filipinos have been arrested in Manila by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for alleged threats against two Japanese nationals who were reportedly being extorted for P10 million.
The NBI identified those arrested as Japanese national Akira Machida and Filipinos Glenn Beltran Huerto and Christopher Lattao Maramag who were apprehended during an entrapment operation.
Those arrested were charged before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office with grave threats under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in relation to Republic Act (RA) NO. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The NBI said that one of the complainants, a construction businessman, was asked by Machida to renovate a coffee shop for P4,728,000.
It said that the contractor proceeded with the renovation project but only received P3,309,000 and had to stop when Machida could no longer pay up.
“Subject Machida then urged the contractor to take out a loan, promising him the proceeds from the sale of his property in Japan. Unfortunately, the loan did not materialize,” it also said.
The NBI said that last Sept. 20, Machida, Huerto and Maramag set a meeting with the contractor and threatened to kill the latter if he would not pay a penalty or be arrested by the police.
The following day, it also said, the complaints were contacted by Machida who demanded P10 million for him to be forgiven.
At the same time, the NBI said the contractor was asked to pay half of the money demanded and threatened to kill him and harm his family if he failed to comply. The contractor sought the assistance of the NBI