NBI arrests fake US serviceman in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines — A Liberian national who pretended to be a member of the United States Marine Corps has been arrested in Pasay City by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly engaging in a dubious money-making scheme.

The bureau identified the suspect as Justin Wisdom Barlee, who was also found to be using fake names including Jerry Rockstone and Jerry Brown.

According to NBI, Barlee has been in the country looking for financiers purportedly to help him recover his money – allegedly worth $150,000 – in a cargo firm.

Reportedly, Barlee has been going around claiming he is an American serviceman. But NBI’s verification with the US Embassy proved Barlee was neither a member of the US Marine Corps nor a holder of an American passport.

Members of NBI-International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID) subsequently hatched a plan to collar Barlee and on Monday, they cornered him in an entrapment operation at a coffee shop along Macapagal Avenue.

In a press conference, NBI deputy director for operations Vicente de Guzman III said they are conducting “deepened investigation” to track Barlee’s cohorts here in the country.

Barlee will be facing charges, including usurpation of authority, according to NBI. /kga