Suspect posing as lawmaker, two cohorts arrested after extorting from politicians

August 1, 2019

A suspect posing as a representative of Camarines Sur with his two cohorts were arrested in separate entrapment operations after extorting money to politicians, according to the Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Police General Oscar Albayalde identified the suspect as Dennis Jose Borbon, 24, and another as Edgar Paulo James Bularan, 30.

Albayalde said the entrapment operation stemmed after Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla reported to the authorities Borbon, who identified himself as Camarines Sur 4th District Representative Arnulf Bryan Fuentebella contacted him claiming the lawmaker lost his wallet while in a trip in Palawan.

"He asked vice governor for 25,000 pesos," said Albayalde.

Revilla and Fuentebella sought the help of PNP- Anti-Cybercrime Group in identifying and arresting the suspects.

Both suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation while attempting to withdraw P15,000 in Malabon City around 12:25 pm last July 31.

Meanwhile, before the two suspects were arrested, a certain Menard Gregg Bassa, 20, was arrested on July 30 in Camarines Sur around 7 pm after remitting a P10,000 which waso extorted from Revilla.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, Fuentebella said Borbon contacted local officials through a messaging application.

"He used my photo and name but the number is different," he said.

Fuentebella said he received calls from his colleagues in Congress verifying if he is the one asking for money.

Fuentebella also mentioned Congressman Mikee Romero who was asked by the victims to send money to them.

Fuentebella said Borbon used his identity because they both came from the same province.

"We are in the same district that's why he knows me," he said.

Albayalde said the supposed latest victim of the suspects was Senator Bong Go.

"He is the last person they will ask money," he said.

Go, who was present in the event, said he deposited one peso on the bank account provided by Borbon to confirm if the account number is working.

"He texted me asking for support for the youth in their province... but I'm used to that (kind of modus) when I was still in Malacanang," he said.

Go said he called Borbon after depositing the money to tell him that he cannot fool him.

"After that he deactivated his number so I contacted the authorities," he said.

He revealed that the suspects also extorted money from a senator but he refused to identify who it was.

The PNP chief said Fuentebella, with those who sent money to the suspects, will be filing cases of estafa and identity theft against them.

Seized from the suspects were various electronic and access devices, debit cards, remittance cards, and several unregistered SIM cards believed to be used in their activities. Ella Dionisio/DMS