BID lawyer in Mandaue arrested for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have arrested lawyer of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation for reportedly extorting money from a retired US Navy who asked the BID personnel for an extension of his visa, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said on Monday.

CIDG and National Bureau of Investigation agents apprehended lawyer Serafin Araulla-Abellon, legal officer of the BID, during an entrapment operation last May 24 inside the immigration office in Mandaue City.

The operation stemmed from the complaint of Jaimes Samuel Mercier, a retired US Navy, who asked the help of Abellon for the extension of his visa.

Mercier claimed that Abellon demanded P25,000 in consideration for the visa extension to stay in the Philippines,  which actually legally cost only P2,800.

After giving the BID legal officer P10,000,  Mercier alleged that Abellon demanded an additional  P15,000.

Prior to Abellon's arrest, the CIDG said that in 2009, Abellon was also sued for graft and corruption and grave misconduct for extorting money from a Japanese man in Tagbilaran, City for the same scheme.

The CIDG said it has already filed a case for violation of RA 3019 or Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act Abellon at the Office of Ombudsman. - Dennis Carcamo