‘Rebels’ nabbed for extort try

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Three men posing as members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) were arrested after they tried to extort money from businessmen in Allacapan town in Cagayan on Saturday, police reported yesterday.

Eddie Gudtan, 35; Leonardo Santiago, 33, and his brother Jayson, 27, were collared in an entrapment operation in Barangay Centro, according to town police chief Senior Inspector Jeff Gannaban.

Reports said that on Sept. 20, the suspects sent Julieta Aprecio, 49, a letter asking P100,000 as “progressive tax” for the operation of the communist movement.

Seized from the suspects were P2,500 marked money and a caliber .38 revolver. They were charged with robbery and illegal possession of firearms.