THE Philippine National Police on Friday arrested a barricuda or con artist impersonating top government officials to extort money from his victims.
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde identified the suspect as Vimbi Avilla, arrested by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Regional Public Safety Battalion, San Pablo City Police Station and Military intelligence Unit while in possession of cal. 38 revolver, hand grenade, at least four cellphones he reportedly used to call or text would-be victims.
Operatives also seized sim cards, and money remittance receipts from Avilla’s possession during the service of a search warrant issued by Judge Agripino Morga of RTC Branches 29-32 of San Pablo City in Barangay San Vicente, San Pedro, Laguna last Tuesday.
Albayalde said the arrest of Avilla surfaced after he impersonated Interior Officer-in-Charge Secretary Eduardo Año and other public officials to extort.
Avilla was collared previously by the National Bureau of Investigation for impersonating Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, and former National Irrigation Administration Secretary Peter Lavina,
Albayalde said the suspect would be calling his prospective victims over the phone and impersonate the voice of high-ranking government officials, to include elected officials.
“We just don’t want to give the names but there are elected officials whom he was able to dupe because these elected officials are always in touch with officials in government who hold key positions so they know their voices,” he said.
Albayalde said that no less than Año ordered the PNP to hunt Avilla after learning that the suspect was also impersonating him.
PNP probers have yet to determine the total amount of money the suspect had accumulated from his impersonating modus.
“He could be likened to Willie Nepumuceno, that’s he’s style. He can impersonate the voices of the said government officials. If you are familiar with them, seeing them on TV and hearing their voices you will think that the suspect is them. That’s how good he is,” Albayalde said in Filipino.
The suspect is currently in the custody of the CIDG while a case for Violation of RA 10591 and RA 9516 would be filed against Avilla.