Swindlers falsely claiming to be connected with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and her family have been warned of grave repercussions after the arrest of three suspects who allegedly extorted 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.
The suspects reportedly threatened to close down the victim’s establishment if he refused to cough up P5 million “to protect his emissions testing and medical business.”
According to Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., Director of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), Ouna 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,” Caramat said in a statement.
The suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation in Pasay City.
PNP-CIDG personnel confiscated boodle money, a handgun with threemagazines, 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.
PNP-CIDG National Capital Region head 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,” Arandia said.