CAMP Olivas, Pampanga -- Policemen have arrested four National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) assets for extorting money from a vendor in New Cabalan, Olongapo City.

S/Insp. Frederick Nueva, officer-in-charge of Olongapo City police, identified the suspects as Marlon Valerio, 30; his younger brother Marvin, 23; and Charles Ayuyao, 19, all residents of Pandacaqui, Mexico, Pampanga; and Carino Caparino, 56, of Tuyo, Balanga, Bataan.

The suspects who introduced themselves as NBI agents allegedly demanded P1,500 from one Rosalinda Marinas who is into selling petroleum products in bottles.

When responding policemen arrived, the suspects tried to run away on board a tricycle but were chased and eventually apprehended by the police.

Nueva said a few hours after their arrest, a group of NBI agents arrived at the Olongapo City Police Station.

“Pero dahil gabi na, ’yun hindi na ako nakausap ng mga taga-NBI. Kinaumagahan bumalik sila at sinabi sa akin nung leader nila na si Atty. Mandawe na tao nila ang mga nahuli namin, taga-monitor daw nila ng illegal activities pero hindi daw alam ni Atty. Mandawe ang ginagawa nila,” Nueva said.

Harenato Mandawe is the same person who led other NBI agents and assets in raiding the Stampede Bar in Angeles City and forcibly seized this correspondent while covering and taking photos of the raid last Nov. 11.

This correspondent properly identified himself as a newsman covering the operation for People’s Journal/People’s Tonight and presented them my press card.

They also confiscated my digital camera, herded me into one of their vehicles and erased the photos I had taken before returning the camera. Upon reaching the Phil-American Friendship Road, they pulled over and asked this correspondent to get off.

Nueva said Mandawe even asked him why the four NBI “monitors” had been charged with usurpation of authority.

“Sabi niya bakit daw usurpation of authority, sabi ko kasi nagpakilala silang taga-NBI. Sabi pa niya, wala naman daw nakuha sa kanila. Nagtangka kasing tumakas ang mga suspect at baka naitapon na nila ang P1,500 na hiningi nila sa complainant.”

Subsequent police investigation revealed the four suspects already extorted money from the complainant late last year.

“She was then reminded by the suspects that every time they visit, she should give them P1,500 in exchange for business protection,” the police official said.

Despite the NBI agents’ intercession, charges of usurpation of authority and extortion were still filed at the City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspects. The suspects already posted P100,000 bail each for their provisional liberty.