NLRC sheriff nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines – An acting sheriff of the National Labor Relations Commission was arrested by police late Monday for alleged extortion, a police official said on Tuesday.

Ramil Apinado was arrested by operatives of the Metro Manila Criminal Investigation and Detection Group inside a betting station in Quezon City after allegedly demanding P100,000 from a businesswoman to save her company, said Senior Superintendent Roberto Po, CIDG-Metro Manila chief.

The complainant, a certain Marilou Rustia, was general manager of C’Sons, Inc.

Po said that Apinado was reportedly demanding money from Rustia to delay the implementation of the writ of execution against her company in an order signed by NLRC Labor Arbiter Gaudencio Demaisip Jr.

Rustia had an existing case with the NLRC last year. Po said Rustia was forced to seek police help because she was afraid of becoming a “milking cow” of Apinado.

Police immediately launched an entrapment operation and as Rustia handed the money to Apinado, police immediately arrested him.

Po said charges of robbery extortion, direct bribery, violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act and violation of Republic Act 6713 were filed against Apinado before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Apinado is also facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. –Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net