CIDG nabs criminal gang members for extortion attempt on CDO mayor

Suspected members of the Patvil Criminal Group were arrested for allegedly attempting to extort money from Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno on July 15, 2019. (Photo from CIDG)

MANILA, Philippines – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested suspected members of a criminal gang who allegedly demanded cash from Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno in exchange for the release of his son from detention.

Authorities nabbed Wilma and Thong Pangandigan, Mohaimin Ulimpaen, Sadam Taliba, and Donna Bansil in Barangay Lapasan at around 10:35 a.m. on July 11.

Later in the day, at around 9:30 p.m., the other suspects, identified as Ryan Mabborang and Mark Adrian Tan, were also arrested by the police, according to a report released by the CIDG on Monday.

Lt. Col. Raymund Liguden, chief of CIDG Regional Field Unit 10, said the operations stemmed from the report of Moreno that the suspects demanded P1.5 million from him for the release of Sean, his 43-year-old son who was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in Angeles City on June 29.

READ: Cagayan De Oro mayor expresses ‘deep regret’ over son’s arrest for drugs

According to CIDG, Mabborang is the leader while the other suspects are members of the Patvil Criminal Group involved in robbery-extortion activities in Northern Mindanao and nearby regions.

During the arrest, police confiscated from the suspects boodle and marked cash in brown envelopes, a Toyota Hiace Commuter, a Toyota Vios, and mobile phone with messages identifying the phone owner as Col. Sifuentes and Col. Villacorta.

The CIDG said operatives of the Cagayan De Oro City Police, Sumilao Municipal Police, and the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office were also present during the operations.

Cases for violation of Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code or robbery-extortion were filed against the suspects before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Cagayan De Oro City on Friday. /ee