By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Authorities nabbed a Customs appraiser and an examiner for alleged extortion in Manila, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Wednesday (Nov. 3).
In a statement, the bureau identified the suspects as appraiser Zosimo E. Bello and examiner Salvador V. Seletaria, who are both assigned at the Port of Manila, during an entrapment operation at a restaurant in Ermita on Tuesday (Nov. 2).
Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero immediately directed an entrapment operation against the two following a report by an importer that they were demanding P300,000 in exchange for the release of their shipment.
The operation was conducted at the agreed meeting place of the two suspects and the importer, who was accompanied by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) undercover agent.
Within the plain view of the NBI and BOC agents, a white envelope was handed by the complainant to Bello and Seletaria, prompting the operatives to arrest them.
The seized envelope contained marked money worth P30,000.
Bello and Seletaria are temporarily detained at the NBI headquarters in Manila and will be subjected to inquest proceedings.
The BOC is also preparing criminal and administrative charges against them. (PNA) – bny
