6 arrested for posing as NBI agents

MANILA, Philippines — Six people, including a dismissed police officer, were arrested for allegedly posing as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and possession of illegal firearms in Pakil, Laguna yesterday.

The suspects were identified as former policeman Norberto Corachea, Carlo Ryan Gratil, Jojo Crisostomo, Edgardo Capuno, Ernesto Cruzana Sr. and Allan Basa.

Basa, who claimed to be a consultant of the NBI, has pending cases of estafa and falsification of public documents filed before a Caloocan court by complainant Akihito Tsuchiya.

Another suspect, identified as Limuel Villanueva, has yet to be arrested.

Reports said the suspects went to the Pakil police station and introduced themselves as NBI agents based in Pasay.

The suspects claimed they were sent to investigate vote buying and selling activities in Barangay Matikiw.

Duty desk officer Sgt. Dominador Mendoza informed his superior, who verified the suspects’ credentials with the NBI Laguna district office.

The verification revealed that the suspects were not agents of the NBI.

A pursuit operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects, who were in a sport utility vehicle that was intercepted in Barangay Kabulusan at past 3 p.m.

Police recovered from the suspects’ vehicle a wallet containing fake NBI ID and badges, a necklace, two handguns and ammunition.

The suspects were brought to the Pakil police station for proper documentation and investigation.