Informer arrested for extortion in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - Northern-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (Northern-CIDG) police officers arrested an alleged police informer for extortion during an entrapment operation in Caloocan City at noon Thursday.

Chief Inspector Ruben Lacuesta, Northern-CIDG head, said Ruben Vitug Jr., alias “Tisoy,” 34, a resident of Bagong Barrio in Caloocan City was apprehended near the local police headquarters on Samson Road at around 12:30 p.m.

Lacuesta said the suspect was arrested while receiving two “marked” P500 bills from an undercover police officer and yielded a .22 caliber revolver without bullets when frisked.

Elena Tenorio, also of Bagong Barrio, sought the help of the CIDG Wednesday, saying that police officers arrested her daughter for drug pushing and that she would only be released if Tenorio paid P100,000.

A certain Tisoy, who claimed to be a police informer, reportedly approached Tenorio and volunteered to negotiate for her daughter’s freedom.

Tenorio begged to Tisoy to let go of her daughter and she would give him P5,000. The suspect agreed.

The suspect instructed Tenorio to bring the money at noon the following day near the Caloocan City police station, warning her that her daughter would again be arrested if she failed to bring the cash.

Tenorio sought the help of the CIDG to arrest the suspect.

Asked about the accusation, Vitug admitted trying to extort money from Tenorio.

“I am jobless and need money. I acted alone,” Vitug, who claimed to be a police informer for only a week, said.

Vitug was charged with extortion and illegal possession of firearm before the office of Caloocan City prosecutor Manuel Guiab, who set bail at P160,000.

Senior Police Officer 3 Rick Concepcion, Northern-CIDG investigator, said yesterday they were still “digging deeper” into the case.