Bulacan BIR officer faces raps for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges against an officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Bulacan for allegedly extorting P300,000 from a businessman. 

Mary Grace Arboladura, Department of Justice associate prosecutor, said Reynaldo Lojuco, 51, revenue officer 2 in Plaridel, was charged with  violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery and robbery extortion.

Lojuco was arrested in an entrapment on March 21.

Kim Bernadeth Cariño, 25, a resident of Dasmarinas, Cavite, and Sheila Marie Santiago, 31, a businesswoman, were included in the charge sheets. 

The NBI’s anti-terrorism and anti-graft divisions said Geronimo de la Cruz, 44, filed the complaint, saying Lojuco approached him after a local court dismissed a tax evasion complaint filed against him.

De la Cruz said Lojuco offered not to revive the case in exchange for P300,000.  

The businessman said he negotiated for a downpayment of P100,000 and sought the assistance of NBI agents, who set up an entrapment.