Police Authorities Arrest Man for Alleged Extortion
A man was arrested in Parañaque after allegedly threatening and demanding money from a woman he met on a dating app.
On early Friday morning (July 20, 2024), the man, a 25-year-old call center agent, was apprehended by the police near his home during an entrapment operation conducted by the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of the Southern Police District.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos personally witnessed the arrest upon visiting the DSOU to oversee the operation. The suspect resisted arrest but was eventually subdued by the operatives.
According to the investigation, the suspect met his 19-year-old victim on a dating app the previous Saturday. The incident came when the victim’s parents reported it to the authorities, stating that their daughter was pushed into sharing explicit photos and videos.
When the two met in person, the suspect allegedly raped the victim and then demanded money to prevent the spread of the explicit photos online.
Secretary Abalos shared that the victim’s parents had approached him and the police for help. He recounted how the suspect demanded photos from the victim through the app, then escalated to physical assault and extortion during their meeting.
While the exact amount of money demanded by the suspect has not been disclosed, the investigation is ongoing. The suspect admitted to possessing explicit images of the victim but denied forcing her to do anything.
Abalos claimed that their interactions were consensual and that he even escorted her home after their first meeting. However, he also mentioned that he sensed the victim losing interest and decided to ask for money to end their encounters.
The police are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the suspect’s actions and to identify any other potential victims. They are examining the suspect’s phones and videos to gather more evidence.
The DILG secretary reminded parents to closely monitor their children’s use of dating apps, as these platforms can expose them to dangerous individuals. He urged young people to be cautious and never share compromising photos with strangers.
The suspect is currently detained at an SPD facility and faces charges of robbery, extortion, and disobedience to persons in authority. He may also face additional charges of rape as the investigation progresses.
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