2 ‘extortionists’ using Liza Marcos’ name held

MANILA, Philippines — The unauthorized use of a blinker led to the arrest of two men in Parañaque who were allegedly involved in an extortion scheme using the name of First Lady Liza Marcos, police announced over the weekend.

Joselito Agtuca and JJ Javier were intercepted by the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) along Filipinas Avenue on June 13.

Authorities flagged the suspects in a black Chevrolet Suburban sport utility vehicle for illegal use of a blinker. The SUV also lacked a rear plate.

The suspects reportedly refused to cooperate during a vehicle inspection, prompting police to break the car’s window.

Police said they recovered from the suspects a Glock 19 handgun, three bulletproof vests and C4 explosives.

HPG chief Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said the suspects’ vehicle also lacked registration documents.

The suspects are facing charges of violating Republic Acts 10883 or the anti-carnapping law, obstruction of justice, resistance to persons in authority and concealing true identity.

Four other suspects who were in a separate vehicle managed to escape, police said.

Special envoy on transnational crime Markus Lacanilao linked the suspects to an entrapment operation conducted by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in April 2024 in Pasay, which resulted in the arrest of Agtuca and Francisco Ouano.

Lacanilao said the suspects had been name-dropping the Marcoses, allegedly extorting money from business owners in Cebu in exchange for permits and favors. 

Javier, who evaded arrest at the time, resurfaced recently.

“He was pretending to be an undersecretary at the Office of the President. He even appeared in a video with Francisco Ouano and used a vehicle bearing a fake protocol number,” Lacanilao said. 

“The explosives found in his car are a serious national security concern. Civilians should not have access to that,” he added.

The HPG is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and International Criminal Police Organization to determine the origin of the explosives and the possible links of the suspects with terrorists.

Lacanilao warned the public against trusting people claiming to be connected to the Marcos family, saying such acts are not tolerated.

The suspects are being held at the HPG’s Special Operations Division at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The impounded SUV is under investigation to determine any links to other crimes, according to the HPG.