By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan – PNA
MANILA — Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested a woman for extorting money by using the name of a top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
NCRPO head, Dir. Guillermo Eleazar identified the suspect as Dianne Mae Navarez, 29, jobless, and a resident of No. 9411 Alejandro St., Brgy. Vitalez, Paraňaque City, who promised to help a former policeman in his reinstatement in the police service in exchange for money.
Navares was arrested in an entrapment operation in Parañaque City at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, in response to the complaint of a certain Emmanuel Carlos Bugayon for robbery extortion.
Bugayon stated that the suspect was introduced to him by certain Wilvin Panahon Beley, his wife’s cousin, sometime in 2017 and they later became Facebook friends.
He added that the suspect posted on Facebook pictures of her and PNP Deputy Director General Camilo Cascolan and even told complainant Bugayon that she could help facilitate his reinstatement in the police service, saying that she and Cascolan both belong to Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Convinced by her sweet talk, complainant Bugayon said he continued sending money to suspect Navarez through various money transfers, reaching the total amount of PHP80,000.
On Wednesday, the complainant went to NCRPO seeking assistance for the arrest of suspect, as they were convinced that they were just being fooled and being forced to give-in to her demands.
As planned, the complainant handed the marked money consisting of two PHP500 bills to the suspect.
Upon the suspect’s receipt of the marked money, the pre-arranged signal was given and operatives immediately arrested her.
Navarez is currently under the custody of NCRPO-Regional Special Operations Unit for proper disposition and documentation.
The suspect faces charges for violation of Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code (Robbery/Extortion) and Article 315 (Swindling/Estafa).
She will be referred for inquest proceedings before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office.
