Businessmen helping PNP against extortion

Police Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division chief S/Supt. Augusto Marquez yesterday said the business community is helping them in their drive to stop extortion activities.

Marquez told businessmen during the meeting of the officials of Cebu Chamber of Commerce of Industry, Philippine National Police and the military yesterday that they want to put a stop to all extortion activities in the province.

Marquez confirmed that there are 18 companies in Cebu that are victims of extortion activities, some of which were the handiwork of the New People's Army.

The Regional Inter-Agency Legal Action Group was created to monitor and find out those behind the extortion activities, thus, solving the root causes of insurgency, Marquez said.

RIALAG, which was formed by National Secretary Adviser Norberto Gonzales, is composed of the PNP, military, National Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies.

Last Friday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested Gerard Lavadia and Sharon Abangan, who were alleged to be NPA members, in South Central Market, Lawaan II, Talisay City for alleged extortion.

The CCCI strongly rallied behind its members who were forced to pay revolutionary taxes by the NPA.

In a press release, CCCI president Francis Monera said they have been trying to create jobs to alleviate the people's lives and bring progress to Cebu.

He stressed that these extortion activities are detrimental to their business and could seriously pull down the economic gains of Cebu.

"For the NDF (National Democratic Front) and other caused-oriented groups, if it is true that these extortionist are your members, do your organization sanctioned or promote extortion against those who creates jobs for the people? Are these acts not anti-people and against the law of God?" he said.

The CCCI said it hopes that the recent arrest of Lavadia, who is reportedly the secretary of the Visayas Regional Party Committee of the NDF, and Abangan, the alleged leader of NPA's sparrow unit, will serve as strong warning to all criminals to stay out of Cebu.

The chamber also commended the CIDG and other police and military units that are instrumental in the arrest of Lavadia and Abangan, and appealed to Cebuanos to continue to work hard to make Cebu safe and prosperous.

Lavadia and Abangan were arrested last Friday for allegedly demanding P250,000 and a laptop from Taiheiyo Cement Phils. Inc based in San Fernando town.

Seized from them were two .45 caliber pistols with several bullets and one fragmentation grenade. Both suspects are now detained at the Talisay City jail. - Norvie S. Misa and Flor Z. Perolina