THREE Chinese nationals accused of conspiring with each other to misrepresent themselves as connected with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and could facilitate the release of their compatriots were arrested for involvement in a raided POGO hub in Makati City.

Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director, Major General Nicolas D. Torre III identified the suspects through their aliases ‘Changao, Yong, and Ming’ and were arrested by members of the CIDG Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit during an entrapment operation in Barangay 076 in Pasay City last Monday.

The sting was conducted following a complaint that ‘Changao,’ with intent to gain and defraud, misrepresented himself to be well-connected with the PAOCC and could facilitate the release of a Chinese national being held at the PAOCC custodial facility in Pasay City since last January for P5 million.

However, the complainant said that despite being given the P5 million he demanded, the suspect failed to make good his promise and instead demanded an additional P2.5 million allegedly needed to speed up the release process.

“A verification with PAOCC revealed that ‘Changao’ is not in any way connected and associated with the Commission and his promise of facilitating release in exchange of money is a fraud. Thus, the operation, and subsequent arrest of the suspect,” said Maj. Gen. Torre.

The suspects were charged with swindling, fraud and obstruction of justice.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon