2 more file complaint at NBI vs Lumangtad

Two more alleged victims of extortion by a City Hall division chief filed their complaints at the National Bureau of Investigation, and more are expected to come forward to do the same, said NBI supervising agent Rennan Oliva yesterday.

Oliva confirmed the filing of the complaint against Engracio Lumangtad, chief of the land appraisal division of the city assessor’s office, and that the NBI has already conducted an investigation on these new complaints.

The identities of the two complainants, however, are still kept under wraps for now, including the details on how they fell prey to Lumangtad’s alleged extortion activity.

The NBI earlier caught Lumangtad in an entrapment while he was about to receive the alleged bribe from Francisco Bontuyan for the issuance of a tax declaration of a property at barangay Pit-os.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, were already been filed at the Ombudsman-Visayas against Lumangtad.

He was also charged at the Regional Trial Court with indirect bribery. He is now out on bail however but he is expected to face more charges with the entry of the two new complainants at the NBI. — Fred P. Languido/RAE