2 ‘bogus’ politicians arrested for extort try on Zubiri

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri. (Senate PRIB Photos)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday shared that two individuals, who tried to extort P50,000 from him by posing as two high-ranking government officials, were arrested in an entrapment operation.

Zubiri said the two individuals — one 43-year-old man and a 23-year-old male — claimed to be a governor and a board member of Siquijor province.

He found out that the two individuals were only faking.

“I knew from the very beginning that something was fishy. Medyo parang bogus ito. Pero hindi ko sila pwedeng palampasin lang dahil grabeng pangloloko ang ginagawa nila, nandamay pa sila ng ibang official,” Zubiri said in a press conference.

(This was bogus. But I can’t just let them off because they are duping people and using the name of officials.)

Zubiri said he sought the help of the Philippine National Police, where the Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) took over and planned and conducted the police entrapment operation.

To execute the entrapment operation, he kept in touch with the two impostors seeking P50,000 for a political convention.

The money was hand-carried and delivered by one of Zubiri’s staff during the meet-up in Castillejos, Zambales.

The Senate President said the two suspects he refused to name were arrested during the police operation.

Seized from them were boodle money, one .45-caliber pistol, and live ammunition.

“These people came armed and dangerous and have a record of criminal activity. Buti na lang at walang nangyari sa aking staff pero kung wala ang pulis who knows baka gumamit na sila ng dahas para makuha lang pera ang pera na hinihingi nila,” Zubiri narrated.

(It’s good that the police were there and nothing happened to my staff member. If the police were not there, who knows? The suspects could’ve used their weapons to take the money by force.)

With the incident, Zubiri said he would push for the passage of the Sim Card Registration bill to prevent similar criminal attempts to others in the future.

“Bilang senador, itong nangyari sa akin ’yung isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit ko patuloy na isinusulong ang SIM Card Registration Bill. Marami na pong biktima ng ganitong mga modus, kaya ni-refile ko po talaga itong Senate Bill No. 82, or the SIM Card Registration bill,” he said.

He noted that the measure was vetoed during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I am hopeful that we can pass it this Congress,” Zubiri said.

JMS/abc