Charge vs. resort "extortionists" lowered

CEBU, Philippines – Criminal charges were elevated to court against the four persons arrested last week for allegedly extorting money from a resort owner by dropping the names of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and CIBAC Partylist Rep. Joel Villanueva.

But prosecutors downgraded to light threats the original complaint of robbery against John Mark Mendoza Villanueva, Maricel Nuñez, and couple Robert and Mary Ann Duarte who were arrested in an entrapment operation last week.

The entrapment was hatched after Arlene Kuhtmann, the owner of Sunsplash Beach Resort in Malapascua Island, complained to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group that Villanueva and his three companions allegedly demanded P100,000 so that the government would go easy on her supposed tax deficiencies.

Villanueva allegedly claimed he was a relative of the congressman and that the money would reportedly go to Rep. Villanueva and Durano, as well as to some ranking officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue-7.

Kuhtmann said she first met Villanueva when the latter checked into her resort on February 26. It was also that time when Villanueva allegedly claimed to be a relative of the congressman and a member of his advance party to the resort.

Villanueva even allegedly asked not be required to make an advanced payment, as the bill would be paid as soon as the congressman’s main party would arrive. Two days later, Villanueva left the resort allegedly without prior notice.

On March 2, Duarte showed up at the resort and allegedly demanded to retrieve Villanueva’s belongings, saying his unpaid bills will be settled on March 6.

Three days later, Villanueva allegedly called up the resort and was able to talk to the operations manager, Jackielou Tapion, to whom he said he would want to speak with Kuhtmann concerning some tax deficiencies.

Kuhtmann said this prompted her to call back Villanueva and it was during that conversation when Villanueva allegedly told her the resort would be closed for alleged tax violations. However, the suspect allegedly offered to settle the supposed deficiency in exchange for a fee.

But instead of giving in immediately to the demand, Kuhtmann sought the advice of Sr. Superintendent Vicente Loot, Deputy Regional Director for Personnel of Police Regional Office-7, who told her to coordinate with the CIDG.

Last Thursday, an entrapment operation set at a coffee shop, which resulted to the arrest of the suspects.

SPO2 Delfin Bontuyan of the CIDG was slightly injured during the operation after Villanueva tried to resist arrest but the latter was eventually subdued by other members of the team with “reasonable force”.

Prosecutors had recommended P2,000 each for the suspects’ temporary liberty. — Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)