A SUSPECT for robbery extortion and estafa case was recently arrested in Angeles City during an entrapment operation led by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Security Services Group (SSG) personnel, in coordination with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit III (RFU3).
According to CDC-SSG investigation, the suspect, identified as Carlo Trinidad Pe, has been posing as a CDC employee to extort money from a certain Gennievive Austria of JJJ-A Construction in exchange for favorable consideration in the bidding of a CDC infrastructure project.
Due to Pe's persistent demand for money, Austria contacted CDC to verify Pe's real identity.
When she confirmed that Pe was not in any manner connected or affiliated with the state-owned firm, she reported her allegations to the concerned units of CDC.
Following Austria’s complaint, CDC-SSG headed by Police Brigadier General Sheldon Jacaban, collaborated with the CIDG Field Unit 3 and organized an entrapment operation to arrest Pe.
The operation was also made possible through the efforts of CDC SSG Security Consultant Police Lieutenant Colonel Danilo Morzo and Police Lieutenant Jesus Meimban of CIDG.
During his arrest, several pieces of evidence were also confiscated from Pe. These include one piece of P1,000 bill (genuine marked money) with dusting powder, 20 pieces of P1000 (boodle money) dusted with fluorescent powder, a black wallet, a blue Huawei mobile phone, and assorted identification cards.
Pe is now in the custody of CIDG Angeles City Field Unit for proper documentation and disposition of the case.
He will face charges at the Angeles Prosecutor’s Office for violating Article 293 in relation to Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, otherwise known as Robbery Extortion.
Article 293 states that any person who, with intent to gain, shall take any personal property belonging to another, by means of violence or intimidation of any person, or using force upon anything shall be guilty of robbery.
In February 2021, Pe was also charged with an estafa case for allegedly swindling an amount of P900,000 from a certain Joanna Marie Montoya.
The crime of committing estafa or “swindling” is punishable under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code. Penalties vary and are basically dependent on the value of the damage or prejudice caused by the perpetrator.