NBI nabs tabloid exec for extortion

A lawyer, a publisher of a tabloid newspaper and a nightclub guest relations officer were arrested over the weekend by the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly trying to extort P500,000 from the manager of a Quezon City night club.

Arrested were Leo Villan, publisher of People’s Brigada and resident of 2247 F.B. Harrison, Pasay City; Romeo Manalo, 50, Villan’s legal counsel and resident of S416 Don Santiago Building, 1344 Taft Avenue, Manila; and "Mary," a 17-year-old guest relations officer of Classmate Club.

According to an investigation conducted by the NBI’s Special Task Force under Marianito Panganiban, Villan allegedly introduced himself as a reporter to Richard Fernandez, classmate club manager.

Villan, according to the NBI, told Fernandez that "Mary" was allegedly raped inside one of the club’s VIP rooms by a customer named Marlon Tan.

The NBI said Villan allegedly threatened Fernandez that he would expose the alleged rape to a television station program and would tell other reporters of it if Fernandez would not produce P500,000 on Oct. 26.

Villan, according to the NBI, added that he would also report the incident to the NBI and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group so that the Classmate Club would be closed.

Last Friday, Fernandez sought the help of the NBI and an entrapment operation was planned. Later, Fernandez was allegedly instructed by Villan to wait for his telephone call as to where to deliver the cash. At first, according to the NBI, Villan instructed Fernandez to bring the money to the Manila Hotel.

The venue for the delivery was later changed to the Pantalan Seafood Restaurant near the Quirino Grandstand and then later to room 416 of the Don Santiago building, in Ermita, Manila, where Manalo holds office.

At about 6 p.m. last Friday, Villan was arrested while receiving the marked cash, according to the NBI. "Mary" and Manalo were also inside the room when Villan was arrested. The NBI added that Manalo also attempted to suppress vital documentary evidence against his client and his participation in the alleged extortion against Fernandez.

While being questioned, Villan, who denied all charges against him, was also found to be in possession of a Beretta caliber .38 pistol. The NBI is now checking the authenticity of Villan’s permit to carry firearms outside of residence.

Meanwhile, those arrested were charged with robbery-extortion in the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office and are now detained at the NBI Jail except for Manalo who was released for further investigation. Bail for the detained suspects was set at P100,000.