Extortion, graft charges filed vs. NBI exec, brother

THE DEPARTMENT t of Justice (DOJ) filed extortion and corruption charges in court against a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) official and his brother for allegedly extorting money from a Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel implicated in the so-called “pastillas scheme”.

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento approved the filing of charges against NBI Legal Assistance Section chief Joshua Paul Capiral and his brother, Bureau of Immigration Medical Section officer Christopher John Capiral before the Manila Regional Trial Court.

Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon on Monday said charges were filed on September 25. 

The prosecutors recommended PHP220,000 bail each for their temporary liberty while the court tries the robbery-extortion and corruption charges filed against them.

Last Wednesday, the two underwent inquest proceedings before the DOJ over their alleged involvement in extorting money from the complainant, BI officer Jeffrey Dale Salamde Ignacio.

The Capirals were arrested in an entrapment after they received PHP200,000 from Ignacio, one of the 19 BI officers allegedly involved in the protection racket which allows the entry of Chinese nationals into the country.

Before the entrapment, the NBI had flagged Capiral for initially recommending that only four of the 19 immigration officers be charged with the alleged involvement in the “pastillas” bribery scam, named for the rolls of grease money rolled up in paper like milk candy.

The NBI earlier recommended the filing of criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against 19 BI officers and personnel for their alleged involvement in the money-making scheme while assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Aside from Ignacio, other BI personnel charged are Grifton San Pedro Medina, Deon Carlo Albao, Fidel Mendoza, Abdulhafez dela Tonga Handjibasher, Gabriel Ernest Estacio, Ralph Garcia, Phol Villanueva, Abdul Calaca, Danilo Deudor, Mark Macababad, Aurelio Lucero III, George Bituin, Salahudin Hadjinoor, Chevy Naniong, Hamza Pacasum, Manuel Sarmiento III, Cherry Pie Ricolcol, and German Robin.(By Benjamin Pulta)