2 BIR Employees Accused of Extortion Arrested in Caloocan City Along with 2 Others
Authorities arrested two (2) employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenues (BIR) and two others after being accused of extortion in Caloocan City.
According to Caloocan Police chief P/Col. Ruben Lacuesta, the two employees of BIR were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the police for allegedly extorting money from a business owner in Caloocan City. Aside from the government employees, their two accomplices were also apprehended.
Lacuesta identified the suspects as April Claudine Dela Cruz, 30, Data Controller II, Assessment Division, BIR District 5 Caloocan, Joyet Alvero, 55, Admin Assistance Officer, BIR District 5 of Burgos St. Concepcion. Two said accomplices were named as Jennifer Roldan, 49, freelance liaison officer of Cruz St. Bambang, Taguig City, and Ariel Roble, 46, freelance bookkeeper of Legarda St. Sampaloc, Manila.
According to the report, they were arrested by agents from the PNP Intelligence Group and Caloocan Police Station Intelligence Section working together. The arrest took place after receiving the marked P1.8 million cash, including 10 genuine P1,000 bills and boodle cash from the entrapment operation.
Based on National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director P/BGen. Jonnel Estomo, before the entrapment operation, the suspects told the owner of a Panel Board Fabrication in Malabon City that he has a tax liability worth P13 million. The suspects told the business owner that his tax liability would only be reduced if he could pay P4.5 million until they settled on P3 million.
On December 2, 2022, the business owner paid an initial P1.7 million in cash but the suspects did not issue a receipt. As a result, the victim seek the help of the police which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
The two BIR personnel were charged with robbery extortion and violation of Section 17 of R.A. 6713 or Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Their two accomplices were charged with robbery extortion at the Caloocan City Prosecutor’s Office.
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