Malolos City – A media consultant of Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and three other cohorts were nabbed by the police in Concepcion, Tarlac early this week for alleged extortion and usurpation of authority using press ID and posing as police agents.
Arrested were Rene Clemente, 57, and his live-in partner Sally Inot, 43; Steve Inot, 22, single; and Jason Estrada, 45; all residents of Barangay Longos, Malolos City.
In a belated police report from the Tarlac Police Provincial Office, the four suspects allegedly approached Rolando Bucsit y Julaton, 53, of Brgy. Ilocano Sur, San Fernando City , La Union, and presently residing at Brgy. Alfonso, Concepcion, Tarlac where he operates a ‘Perya’ (small-town carnival).
The police report said the four suspects, led by Clemente, introduced themselves as agents of ‘CIDG Tarlac’ and demanded a P10,000 ‘protection money’ from Bucsit for the continuous operations of his ‘Perya’. However, Bucsit apparently sensed that the four were fake CIDG agents after noticing the ‘Press ID” worn by the suspects.
Bucsit sent an aide to seek the help of Concepcion policemen who responded and arranged an entrapment operation against the suspects. The four were arrested after receiving the marked money amounting to P10,000.
Concepcion acting-Chief of Police Lt. Col. Reynold Macabitas said various press IDs were recovered from the suspects including an National Press Club ID and the media consultant’s ID of Clemente issued by the Bulacan provincial government.
The suspects were brought to an inquest Prosecutor last Monday and were still presently detained at the Concepcion Police Office (Tarlac) as of presstime. Charged of extortion (swindling) and usurpation of authority were filed against the suspects before the Office of the Prosecutor of Tarlac.