APPARENTLY UNPERTURBED WITH the ongoing investigation of anomalies in infrastructure projects involving billions of pesos of public funds, the officer-in-charge of the local official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was arrested in an entrapment operation for his alleged involvement in a multimillion-peso extortion scheme.
Arresting authorities identified the suspect as alias “Rommel” of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Calaca town in the province of Batangas.
Based on the report of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) unit in Barangas, the suspect was caught “red-handed” as he received the supposed extortion money from the businessman who had filed the complaint against the DENR official.
‘With the CENRO official’s arrest, CIDG director Major General Robert Morico II assured the citizenry that they are committed in safeguarding public interest and remains steadfast in its campaign against criminal activities, especially those involving government officials.’
ENTRAPPED
Initial investigation revealed that the entrapment stemmed from a complaint by the male victim who claimed that the suspect had demanded ₱7 million from him to facilitate the issuance of an Alienable and Disposable Zones Certificate.
Suspect alias “Rommel” reportedly insisted on an initial payment of ₱1 million from the businessman and even warned that no certificate would be issued without it.
Caught in the act, the suspect was placed immediately under arrest for alleged violation of Article 294 (Robbery–Extortion) of the Revised Penal Code.
With the CENRO official’s arrest, CIDG director Major General Robert Morico II assured the citizenry that they are committed in safeguarding public interest and remains steadfast in its campaign against criminal activities, especially those involving government officials.