MANILA, Philippines — A 48-year-old man claiming to have a purported connection with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos was arrested in Pasay City, along with his two cohorts, for alleged extortion, according to the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
In a statement on Wednesday, CIDG identified suspects “Isko” and his two accomplices, 46-year-old “Joselito” and 42-year-old “German” who were collared by authorities during an entrapment operation last March 11 along Bluebay Walk, Metropolitan Park Building, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.
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Police said the operation stemmed from a victim who lodged a complaint against Isko, who promised “to protect his emissions testing and medical business” in the Land Transportation Office in exchange for P5 million.
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“Alias Isko claimed to have a direct connection with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, that if the victim refused to give him the money, he would cancel or hinder all his business transactions,” CIDG director Major General Romeo Caramat Jr. said.
Following his arrest, authorities confiscated boodle money, a handgun with three magazines, 32 live ammunition, a license to own and possess firearms, a permit to carry firearms, all named to suspect “Joselito,” and a blue eco bag.
The confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the arresting unit for proper disposition while the suspects will be facing a criminal complaint for violation of Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code (Robbery Extortion) before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.