Ex-Marina employee arrested for P200,000 extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A former Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) employee was apprehended for allegedly extorting P20,000 from a seafarer during an entrapment operation in Manila on Friday.

Malone Morales, 29, was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a fastfood restaurant along San Marcelino street.

The NBI said the seafarer complained that Morales demanded money from him in exchange for the release of his certificate of proficiency.

The seafarer sought the help of the Marina legal division, which advised him to report the matter to the NBI.

Morales had been arrested for selling leakage of marine desk officer licensure exams for P500,000.

Morales was nabbed by police along with Marina personnel Julius Maquera, 26; Christian Asistores, 23; John Daniel Miron, 22; Teodorico Dionisio, 29, and Jomarie Antiquera, 33, marketing manager of North Star Training Center on Jan. 12.