Swindlers falsely claiming to be connected with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and her family have been warned of grave repercussions following the arrest of three suspects for extorting P5 million from a businessman.
The arrested suspects were identified as 48-year-old Francisco Ouna, alias “Isko,” and two armed accomplices, Joselito Agtuca, 46, and German Reveza, 42.
They had threatened to close down an establishment if the victim refused to cough up P5 million “to protect his emissions testing and medical business.”
The suspects, who were found to be carrying a firearm, were arrested in an entrapment operation in Pasay City and will face charges of robbery extortion, according to Major General Romeo Caramat Jr., Director of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
In a radio interview, PNP-CIDG National Capital Region Lt. Col. Jose Joey Arandia urged the public to immediately report any scammer using the First Family’s name to extort money.
“Sa atin pong mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga hindi pa nakapagsusumbong sa mga otoridad, maaari pong pumunta sa PNP-CIDG para idulog ang complaint niyo, lalong lalo na sa mga gumagamit sa pangalan ni First Family, sa pangalan ni First Lady Liza Marcos,” Lt. Col. Arandia said.
“Kung natatakot man kayo, handa naming hulihin ang mga ‘yan,” he stressed.
The PNP-CIDG immediately probed and arrested the alleged extortionists following a complaint to authorities that alias “Isko” claimed to have a direct connection with the First Lady.
“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,” Director Caramat Jr. said in a statement.
PNP-CIDG personnel confiscated boodle money, a handgun with three magazines, 32 rounds of live ammunition, a license to own and possess firearms, and a permit to carry firearms from suspect Agtuca.
The suspects will face a criminal complaint for violation of Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code or Robbery Extortion before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.
Grave repercussions loom vs. scammers using First Lady’s name to extort P5 million
