Man faces extortion charge

The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor indicted a man who allegedly extorted money from Atty. John Tanagho, International Justice Mission Cebu Field Office director.

Tanagho filed the complaint against Jerry Flores, who allegedly threatened to harm him and his family if he refused to give the latter money.

Prosecutor Genevieve Tanada-Lawas found evidence to charge Flores with grave threats under Art. 282, paragraph 1, of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 10185, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

"The crime of grave threat is committed by any person who shall threaten another with infliction upon the person, honor or property or his family of any wrong amounting to a crime," the resolution read.

The charge is a non-bailable offense.

Tanagho said Flores started intimidating his family last Feb. 26.

Tanagho said Flores of Barangay Lamac, Consolacion, sent him several text messages warning him that something bad would happen to him and his family if he refused to send him money.

Flores threatened to burn Tanagho's son, forcing the latter to send P2,000 to the accused.

However, Flores did not stop, prompting Tanagho to seek police assistance.

A policeman posed as Tanagho's wife and sent the money to Flores via money transfer, which led to his entrapment in Barangay Yati, Liloan last March 6.

"A threat that respondent will burn John's son and wife in front of him and that he will kill all the guards in John's house were... wrong amounting to murder," the resolution read. /