MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested a bogus reporter for allegedly extorting money from a barangay official in Valenzuela City on Friday.
Edwin Reyes Sarmiento, 57, of Batasan Hills in Quezon City, allegedly introduced himself as a reporter for a daily tabloid.
Probers said after showing several media IDs, Sarmiento managed to convince councilman Marco Antonio Dalag, 41, to give him P3,000 in exchange for the publication of the barangay council’s accomplishments.
Dalag said he initially gave the suspect P1,000.
“Pero habang nag-uusap kami, nahalata ko na parang hindi siya totoong reporter,” Dalag said.
The barangay official sought police assistance, resulting in Sarmiento’s arrest.
Police said the suspect yielded a knife.
Charges of estafa and illegal possession of a bladed weapon have been filed against Sarmiento.