Fake NBI agent nabbed

A cockfight aficionado posing as an agent of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was arrested Wednesday for allegedly gypping an overseas worker of P10,000 as payment for "resolving" a dispute.

Melecio Bautista, 44, of Barangay Biwas in Tanza, Cavite, was nabbed in an entrapment operation conducted in Parañaque City by the NBI Special Task Force (STF) under Marianito Panganiban.

Bautista, alias Nestor Padilla, will be charged for extortion, estafa and usurpation of authority. He was presented to media yesterday at the NBI headquarters on Taft Avenue, Manila.

Investigation showed Bautista introduced himself as NBI operative "Maj. Nestor Padilla" to trader Cerlan Andaling and asked for P10,000 for the quick resolution of a dispute. The pseudo agent demanded P3,000 as initial payment for his "services."

Bautista told Andaling he would get back the P80,000 he had given to one Rowena Nuñez as reservation fee for rental of a commercial space at the Export Processing Zone in Cavite.

The complainant apparently learned that someone was already occupying the commercial space, prompting him to demand a refund from Nunez. The latter allegedly issued him post-dated checks. Bautista then offered to help get the complainant’s money back.

Andaling later sought NBI assistance after sensing the "agent" was up to no good. STF operatives conducted a sting operation at a restaurant in Parañaque City.

NBI agents arrested the suspect while in the act of receiving P7,000 in marked money. – Cecille Suerte Felipe