CIDG cops deny kidnap, extortion

According to CIDG Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., the transaction was disadvantageous to the government and caused a financial loss to the PNP as the purchased units were useless.

Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) are facing investigation over an alleged attempt to extort $1 million from a Singaporean man they arrested on an illegal firearms charge in December.

CIDG Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. said he relieved the chief of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Division (AFCCD), Supt. Honorio Agnila, and team leader Chief Insp. Renato Ocampo to prevent them from influencing the investigation.

In a separate statement, however, the CIDG denied its agents had kidnapped Ah Chai Teo and demanded a ransom for his release.

Pagdilao said Teo was arrested by the CIDG as a result of “a legitimate operation against foreign nationals who are members of high-profile organized crime groups protected by rogue members of Philippine law enforcement.”

He said Teo was involved in the large-scale well-funded and well-organized fraudulent trade in scrap metal, particularly copper. He did not elaborate.

Teo was arrested on Dec. 17 near the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City for illegal possession of firearms. AFCCD agents confiscated from him a

9-mm Mark IV Series 70 pistol with three magazines and 16 rounds of ammunition.

A check of PNP Firearms and Explosives Division records showed the gun belonged to Qwee Chang who was believed to be a member of a crime syndicate but who was reportedly out of the country.

Teo was charged with illegal possession of firearms in the Department of Justice.

Pagdilao said the allegation that Teo was kidnapped arose after Janet Villareal, country manager of Octagen Metal Co., reported on Dec. 19 to the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response that her Singaporean employer, Teo, had been missing since Dec. 16.

The CIDG turned Teo over to Pacer on Dec. 19 to clarify the issue about his supposed kidnapping.