Former OFW, cohort nabbed for extortion, posing as DILG execs

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested in Pangasinan a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and her accomplice for allegedly pretending to be officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to extort money from other government officials, DILG said Friday.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año identified the suspects as Natilyn Decipulo, 29, former OFW, and Richard Tacto, 45.

Año said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested the two in Dagupan City on Thursday for using the name of Interior Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya to extort money from mayors and governors.

“The long arm of the law finally caught up with them, at gaya nga ng sinabi natin, we will bring these people to justice lalo pa at pangalan ng mga opisyal ng DILG ang kanilang ginagamit sa kanilang modus. Let this serve as a warning to all would-be criminals, we will find you wherever you may be,” Año said in a statement.

Año said police will conduct a manhunt operation to look for other members of the criminal syndicate known as Decipulo Criminal Group, which poses as DILG employees to solicit money from local chief executives.

The Decipulo Group is also behind at least 20 extortion activities in Luzon, Visayas, Caraga Region, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, according to police records.

In the same statement, Malaya asked the public to report if they have information about the said extortionists.

“I personally appeal to the mayors and governors who were victimized by these extortionists to inform us and file cases against them. Nakakalungkot na sa gitna ng pandemya ay nagagawa ng mga kawatan na ito na manloko. Kailangan pagbayaran nila ang kanilang kasalanan sa bayan,” Malaya said.

(It is disappointing that illegal activities continue amid the pandemic. They need to be sanctioned.)

EDV