2 janitors held for extortion at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - Two janitors were arrested and charged for extorting money from a departing Japanese passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2) two weeks ago, an official said yesterday.

A third janitor, Cesar Yonson, remains at large, according to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal.

He said Tomoyuki Morizono was smoking an electronic cigarette in the terminal’s north wing restroom when Reggie Tamayo, Robert Boniao and Yonson approached him at around 3:30 p.m. on May 8.

The janitors threatened Morizono that he would be arrested and jailed for smoking. Fearing he would not be able to board his flight for Narita, he gave them 60,000 yen in exchange for not reporting him to the police.

Morizono told his Filipina fiancée, Sherill Villarante, about the extortion before he left the country. Five hours later, she went to the police department of NAIA-2 to file a complaint.

Boniao and Tamayo, who reported for work the next day, told police that Yonson gave them only 10,000 yen as their share.

Yonson has not reported for work since May 9 and is the subject of a manhunt, police said.