By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A lawyer and her paralegal were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in an entrapment operation after they allegedly extorted money from two siblings by falsely claiming they could shield them from criminal syndicates supposedly plotting to kill them.
The suspects are facing complaints for robbery-extortion and violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act after allegedly demanding as much as P1 million from their clients in exchange for their supposed safety.
The operation was carried out last Friday by operatives of the NBI Organized and Transnational Crimes Division at the suspects’ office in Taguig City following complaints filed by the siblings, identified only by the aliases Roxy and Sam.
According to investigators, the siblings sought legal assistance from the lawyer in late May regarding a dispute involving Sam’s former Chinese business partner. However, the case allegedly took a disturbing turn when the lawyer’s paralegal, reportedly with the lawyer’s knowledge and confirmation, informed them on July 5 that criminal syndicates had placed a P1-million bounty on each of their lives.
The complainants said they were told the lawyer’s group had direct contacts with the syndicates and could negotiate for their protection in exchange for money.
Believing the alleged threats, the siblings initially transferred P100,000 to the paralegal. They claimed the suspects later demanded an additional P300,000, prompting them to seek the NBI’s assistance.
The bureau then arranged an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of both suspects after they allegedly accepted marked money from the complainants.
Speaking before reporters at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City, Roxy said they decided to bring the matter before authorities to determine the truth behind the alleged threats.
“At this point, we are not accusing anyone. We are simply turning the matter over to the NBI so it can conduct a full investigation. Whether the allegations are true or not will be determined by the investigation,” Roxy said in Filipino.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the prosecution will rely on the evidence gathered during the operation, including the marked money, the circumstances surrounding the entrapment, and the testimonies of the complainants.
“The entrapment operation, the receipt of the marked money, and the statements of the clients will all form part of the evidence that will be presented in court,” Matibag said.
The lawyer and the paralegal remain under NBI custody after undergoing inquest proceedings. Formal charges for robbery-extortion and cybercrime are being prepared against them. Authorities have yet to release the identities of the suspects pending the filing of criminal charges. Their camp has yet to state the allegations.
ia/xf
