The Philippine Star

3 arrested for extortion

- Emmanuel Tupas

Three people were arrested for allegedly extorting P2,000 from a woman in Quezon City on Friday.

Reynaldo de Leon, 47; Henry James Aquino, 32; Arlan Gabuya, 32, are facing charges of robbery extortion as well as grave threats, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a bladed weapon.

Chief Superinten­dent Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director, said the suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Pasong Tamo at around 7:10 p.m.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by 37-year-old Gemallyn Leona, who told police the suspects threatened her.

Police said the suspects went to Leona’s house at around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, demanding P2,000 in exchange for a firearm they allegedly pawned to her son.

Leona’s son was not present during the confrontat­ion wherein the suspects, one of whom was holding a handgun, warned they would kill a member of Leona’s family if their demand is not met.

The suspects returned the following day with the same threats, which prompted Leona to give P500 in cash, promising to pay the remaining balance the same day.

She sought the help of the QCPD, which conducted an entrapment operation that night.

Probers recovered marked money, two bullets for a shotgun and a knife from the suspects.

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