2 BI officials, Korean face extortion raps

MANILA, Philippines - A liaison officer of a travel agency has filed a complaint with the Manila Police District (MPD) against two officials of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and a Korean tourist for alleged robbery and extortion.

Perpetuo Macasa Jr., BI civil security unit investigator, and Tootise Magcalas, deputy supervisor for operations, are facing charges along with Park Dae Dong, of San Fernando, Pampanga, based on the complaint of Nilo Mendoza, 41.

Mendoza, who works for Wayfair Tours, claimed that Macasa and Magcalas arrested him on Aug. 13 on trumped-up charges.

The complainant said that when they reached Macasa’s office, he was forced to shell out P100,000 to avoid being jailed.

Mendoza said the suspects decided to reduce the amount to P50,000 when he told them he did not have money.

He said Macasa and Magcalas were forcing him to admit that he was a companion of a certain Gaudencio Aquino, who allegedly gypped Park of P200,000 to fix his visa.