3 nabbed for extortion using PNP chief’s name

MANILA, Philippines — Three people who were allegedly extorting money from gambling operators using the name of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and other government officials were arrested in General Santos City on Thursday night.

Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said yesterday the suspects were arrested in Barangay Labangal.

Francisco identified the suspects as Ralph Stephen Abrenica, Jeffrey Sison and Neil Toledo. Abrenica is a resident of San Juan City while his companions are both from Pasig City.

Apart from Marbil, Francisco said the suspects also name-dropped him in collecting money, which is about P2.5 million in protection money per gambling operator.

“Definitely, using the name of the chief PNP and using the name of the director CIDG was really a big mistake for them,” Francisco said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

The suspects, who were placed under surveillance after arriving in Davao City to meet with gambling operators in the region, will initially be charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.