AUTHORITIES have arrested three men who introduced themselves through a phone call as high-ranking government officials in order to extort money from businessmen, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Friday, March 9.
Henry Halaghay, 67, the leader of the group and his two other cohorts Antonio Cerbito and Rogem Montesa were served an arrest warrant at about 4:30 p.m. in Barangay Manggahan, Rodriguez, Rizal.
Recovered from the suspects M1911 caliber .45 pistol with one round live ammunition, a piece of magazine loaded with six round live ammunition, caliber .48 revolver loaded with five live ammunition and another caliber .48 firearm with three round live ammunition several identification cards, cellular phones and a notebook with a list of government officials.
Senior Superintendent Wilson Asueta, CIDG National Capital Region chief, said based on investigation, the suspects call their target and introduce themselves as high ranking officials.
Among the names they used were that of Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go and Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Rolando Joselito Bautista.
"They will introduce as high-ranking government officials like Secretary Bong Go. Meron diyan na nagpakilala sila na Philippine Army general. They will get these numbers, tatawagan nila at sabi ay nanghihingi ng donation like P50,000 para sa Mega Rehabilitation Center," Asueta said. (SunStar Philippines))
