Man posing as Abalos aide caught

MANILA, Philippines — A man who reportedly posed as the chief of staff of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos was arrested by authorities during an entrapment operation last week.

In a press briefing yesterday, Abalos presented Edison Samson Montealto, who allegedly extorted at least P150,000 from his victims by posing as Larry Abalos and other government officials before he was arrested by operatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s Office of Internal Security.

Abalos alleged that the suspect is part of a syndicate that used the identities of government officials to extort money from local government employees.

The DILG said Montealto’s victims include Gov. Abdulraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte; Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali Matabalao; Masinloc, Zambales Mayor Arsenia Lim; President Roxas, Capiz Mayor Receliste Escolin and Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan.

Abalos said that one governor sent an initial P30,000 through an online platform and sent another P60,000 to the suspect, while another P50,000 was sent by another mayor.

Montealto faces charges of violating Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act, identity theft under RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act as well as estafa.