MANILA, Philippines — A man posing as an officer of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) was arrested in Quezon City on Monday after he allegedly attempted to extort money from the owner of a security agency.
Sofronio Alcantara, 58, was apprehended by operatives of the Kamuning police station in the security agency’s office along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in Barangay Immaculate Conception at around 1 p.m.
Alcantara’s arrest was based on the complaint of the establishment’s owner, businessman Sultan Bob Datimbang, 58, who accused the suspect of harassment.
Datimbang said the suspect, claiming to be a DOLE representative, went to his office and sought an audience with him.
When the victim met with Alcantara, the suspect reportedly demanded P50,000 in exchange for the settlement of the case filed before the DOLE by his former security guards.
Datimbang coordinated with barangay officials, who in turn reported the matter to the police.
Alcantara was brought to the police station, where he is being held on charges of grave coercion.