For alleged extortion: NBI agents nab 2 broadcasters in entrapment

The KBP-Cebu Broadcasters month officially ends today, but on the eve of the final day of the celebration, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) nabbed two radio blocktimers for alleged extortion in an entrapment operation.

Acting in response to a complaint made by former presidential liaison officer Elberto 'Bert' Emphasis, who is now a director of the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the NBI arrested two radio commentators in a restaurant inside a mall late yesterday.

Reynante "Rey" Cortez, 36, and Lito "Bingbong" Solon, 40, both married were surprised when the NBI agents surrounded their table then handcuffed them after Solon reportedly received the P20,000 placed inside an envelope laced with ultra-violet powder.

The NBI agents set up the entrapment operation against the two radio blocktimers after Emphasis sought their help last Thursday complaining that Cortez and Solon wanted money in exchange for not making commentaries against him in their radio programs.

Cortez and Solon are the hosts of radio blocktime program, Enkwentro, which is aired over DYLA and DYDD Bantay Radyo.

According to Emphasis, he was subjected to commentaries of the two commentators the past several days even that he is no longer connected with the government and does not have any wrongdoings.

Cortez and Solon admitted that Emphasis became the subject of their commentaries because he is protecting a particular smuggler, (name withheld) and it seems that he is now doing a demolition job against Customs Collector Ricardo Belmonte.

Emphasis, in a separate interview, admitted that he is a close friend of former Cebu Customs Collector Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, and he believed it could be the reason why Solon and Cortez want to extort money from him.

"Gusto ko nga malimpyohan ang media gikan sa mga corrupt nga broadcasters. Kon ako silang pasakaan og kaso nga libel, unom ra ka buwan ang priso, mao nga gusto nako sila nga ipadakop sa akto sa pagpangilkil," Emphasis said.

He said, Solon contacted him a few days ago telling him that they would stop making commentaries against him if he will give them P20,000. Emphasis then decided to seek the help of the NBI.

At first, Solon set up the meeting between them and Emphasis at a food outlet somewhere along Legaspi Street, but Emphasis suggested that the meeting would be held at a restaurant inside a mall in the reclamation area. He reportedly did this to make it easy for the NBI agents just mingle with the crowd and not be noticed.

Solon arrived ahead of Cortez at 5:15 p.m. and Emphasis ordered food for them. They talked about the radio commentaries and Emphasis quoted Cortez as saying, "ikaw man god Boss, imo ming gibiyaan, ang among mga kauban nangadatu na, kami mao lang gihapon."

Emphasis said, he suggested to the two radio blocktimers to engage into business, but Cortez reportedly said, "ah, dili ko gusto anang negosyo, kwarta lay amo."

This time, Emphasis handed the envelope to Cortez, but refused to receive it and instructed Emphasis to give it to Solon.

This is the reason why Cortez was found negative of the ultra-violet powder, while Solon was positive of traces of the chemicals on his left hand.

But the two blocktimers cried that they victims of a frame up, because it was Emphasis who set-up the meeting through a newspaper reporter and a Customs broker, who reportedly called Solon to inform that Emphasis wants to settle the matter.

"Di na ko makapasaylo nila. Sa una, mireklamo na ko sa Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, nangayo na sila'g pasaylo pero miusab lang gihapon," Emphasis said.

Solon and Cortez also vowed to file a damage suit against Emphasis for putting them in a bad light.

Proper charges for robbery through extortion would be filed against Cortez and Solon at the Cebu City Prosecutors Office on Monday. - / NLQ