Security guard at DFA-7 arrested for extortion and robbery

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard detailed at the Department of Foreign Affairs-7 in Mandaue City was arrested in an entrapment operation Thursday evening for extorting money from passport applicants.

Arnold Pepito, 35, married, a resident of barangay Alang-Alang in Mandaue City, and employed by N.C. Lanting Security Agency was arrested after a woman told DFA officials that the security guard asked for P1,500 if she wanted to hasten the release of her passport.

A certain  Stephani Lobiano, 27, who is married to a Korean national, asked DFA officials if the passport  she was supposed to get from Pepito that day was genuine or fake.

Makuha niya contact number sa iyang mga biktimahon, kay inig human ug process iya ning gukdon ug ingnon kon gusto ka mapadali ug process imong passport pagbilin lang sa imong pangan ug contact number ug sila na lang daw unya ang bahala ug pila’y ihatag sa iya, unya na mo-demand ug 1,500 or dos mil inig kuha nas passport,” Basak Police station chief P Sr./Insp Wilson Abot said.

Abot said Pepito would steal passports at the releasing section by pretending to relieve himself but before he goes back to his detailed area he will steal some passports when the releasing officer is busy doing something or when not at his table.

Abot said the security guard will then release the passports even if it is not yet scheduled to be released.

With the information DFA-7 director Elias Balawag got from Lobiano, he immediately sought the help of MCPO director P Sr./Supt. Noel Gillamac and an entrapment operation was then conducted.

Both the security guard and Lobiano earlier made an agreement to meet last night so he could give the two passports to her.

The plan was to arrest the security guard inside the grocery area of Pacific mall just below the DFA-7 office.

Pepito was arrested after he received P3,000 in exchange for the passports of Lobiano and his son.

A case of extortion and robbery was prepared against Pepito while the DFA-7 is considering filing a qualified theft case against him after director Balawag received another complaint yesterday and identified Pepito as the person who extorted money. (FREEMAN)