Woman held for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A woman, who allegedly dropped the name of a top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to extort money from dismissed policemen seeking reinstatement, was arrested in Parañaque City on Wednesday.

Dianne Mae Navarez, 29, was nabbed by members of the Regional Special Operations Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) based on the complaint of Emmanuel Carlos, 37.

Carlos was dismissed from the police service last year for dishonesty.

Claiming that she has links with former NCRPO chief Director Camilo Cascolan, Navarez promised Carlos that she could help him be reinstated in the police force if he would pay P10,000.

Navarez posted a screenshot of her supposed conversation with Cascolan, who now heads the PNP Civil Security Group, on social media.

Carlos said the money he gave to Navarez reached P80,000.

Cascolan vowed to file a complaint against the suspect for using his name.    

Four more victims showed up at the NCRPO headquarters to file charges against .