2 former action stars nabbed for ‘extortion’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested former action stars Fred Galang and Vic Vargas in an entrapment here the other day for allegedly extorting money in exchange for the release of vehicles from the Subic Bay Freeport.

Vargas, however, was later released after he was able to prove that he had nothing to do with the alleged illegal activities of Galang, known for his role in the Charito Solis starrer Igorota in the 1960s.

Lawyer Samuel Fiji, the NBI’s Central Luzon director, said Galang and Vargas were collared inside a fastfood outlet along the Gapan-Olongapo-San Fernando Road in Barangay Dolores here.

Fiji said it was Pampanga Vice Gov. Mikey Arroyo who instructed the NBI to entrap the two former action stars after he (Arroyo) got information that they had allegedly been dropping his name in their transactions at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Galang claimed being the owner of a trading company, FG 628 Subic Bay Trading, at the special economic zone.

Fiji said Galang tested positive for ultraviolet powder from marked money he received from complainants Pyra Lucas and Yolly Carreon, both of Angeles City.

In their sworn statement, the two women claimed that Galang had demanded P350,000 from them to facilitate the release of five imported vehicles from the freeport.

Galang, they said, alleged that the money was intended for Customs officers and government officials, including Arroyo.

They said they sought the help of Arroyo’s office after sensing that Galang was fooling them.

Fiji said multiple counts of estafa have been filed against Galang with the Olongapo City prosecutor’s office.