Authorities arrest man for posing as DILG chief to extort money

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos presents to the media a man who was arrested for posing as chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to extort money from various local government officials. INQUIRER.net / Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged extortionist posing as Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. was arrested last week and was presented to the media on Tuesday.

Abalos said that 27-year-old suspect Edison Montealto — who was arrested in an entrapment operation in Lingayen, Pangasinan, on December 7 — mimics the DILG chief’s voice or introduces himself as an official of the agency to extort thousands of money from various local government officials.

“Nahuli siyang kumuha ng pera through GCash. May iba hindi GCash. Siya itong si Larry Abalos pero sa totoo lang sa pagtingin ng aming grupo talagang sindikato. Marami ito at malaki pero huwag kayo mag-alala, nakatutok tayo lahat dito,” Abalos revealed in a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

(We caught him extorting money through GCash. Sometimes, he uses other methods to trick victims. He is also posing as Larry Abalos, but the truth is they are a group or a syndicate with many members; don’t worry, we are closely investigating this case.)

The DILG chief likewise revealed that Montealto would call local government officials and solicit or borrow cash ranging from P30,000 to P50,000.

Abalos said he only learned about the suspect’s “modus” after a mayor of Cotabato and a governor called and informed him that the suspect had victimized them.

“So madaming tumatawag kaya ang ginawa ko finorm ko itong team ng internal security ko, sila pinahanap ko. Yun ang dilemma ko, hindi ko agad ma-announce dahil mahuhuli na nila at baka magtakbuhan,” he added.

(Many are calling me, so I formed this team from my internal security and ordered them to find the suspect. I could not announce this immediately because it might cause a problem with the operation or lead to the suspect’s escape.)

Abalos said Montealto is now under police custody and has been charged with identity theft concerning cybercrime law, estafa, and spoofing.

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He added that other individuals linked to the crime are under surveillance amid an ongoing investigation.

In line with this, Abalos advised the public to remain vigilant as he clarified that Larry Abalos is a fake identity used by the suspect or other syndicate members.

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“Wala akong staff na Larry Abalos at never ako nanghihingi maski kanino kaya please at hindi lang ako, alam ko marami rin biktimang mga mayor, governor. Mag ingat tayo dito,” he added.

(I don’t have a staff called Larry Abalos, and I will never ask or solicit money from anyone. That’s why we should be careful; this group has already victimized many people, including mayors and governors.)