2 radio blocktimers nabbed for P4 million‘extortion’ in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines — Acting on the complaint of Talisay City Mayor Gerard “Samsam” Gullas for robbery extortion, authorities arrested yesterday two radio blocktimers in an entrapment operation.

The two were identified as Roger Languieto Cimafranca, 44, a dyRB online radio blocktimer and resident of Brgy. Biasong, Talisay City, Cebu, and Joselito Dullano, 37, a resident of V. Rama Quijano Compound, Cebu City, and an assistant radio commentator of the same radio outfit.

Their arrest came after Gullas requested for police assistance against Cimafranca, who allegedly asked Gullas to pay him P4 million in exchange for Cimafranca’s withdrawal as a candidate for Talisay City mayor in the 2025 elections.

Based on Gullas’s affidavit, Cimafranca allegedly asked the mayor to pay P4 million in exchanged for Cimafranca’s withdrawal as a mayoralty candidate.

Acting on the complaint, the Criminal Investigation Detection Group-7 and the Talisay City Police Office launched an entrapment operation against Cimafranca.

The police handcuffed Cimafranca, who was accompanied by Dullano, inside a coffee shop in Talisay City around 2:30 p.m. yesterday, after the two allegedly received 10 pieces of P1,000 bills, as well as “boodle” money in 199 P1,000 bills and eight P500 bills.

In an interview, Cimafranca strongly denied allegation that he extorted money from the mayor and mentioned he has no record of committing such a crime.

Instead, he alleged that before Nov. 15, the deadline for candidates to withdraw from the electoral race, allies of Gullas requested him not to pursue his candidacy in exchange for money.

“Dili kana tinuod, wala gyud koy gipangayo. Sa tinuod lang, wala koy gipangayo nga amount, sila maoy ni-offer,” he said, adding that his arrest is “politically motivated.”

Cimafranca and Dullano are detained at the CIDG-7 headquarters at Camp Sotero Cabahug, Gorordo Ave., Cebu City pending the filing of a robbery extortion complaint against them. — Romeo D. Marantal/RHM (FREEMAN)