SunStar: Ex-GO spokesman, pal, nabbed for extortion

Police arrested a former Genuine Opposition spokesman and a companion for allegedly trying to extort money from a local businessman in Butuan City this week. Sun Star Cagayan de Oro reported Saturday that the Caraga Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) separately arrested Bobby Vicente and Joel Portugal. Police said Vicente is a resident of Balantiyong in Maon district in Butuan City, while Portugal is a resident of First Street, Guingona Subdivision, also in Butuan City. Vicente worked as the spokesman of local Genuine Opposition (GO) bets in the recently concluded May 14 midterm election. He was a former broadcaster of local radio station dxDV and is now a block timer of local radio station dxJM of Phil Radio Butuan City. Portugal is a marketing/advertising account officer of several local media outlets in Butuan. Investigation showed wood traders Aladino Ferrer and Jerome Illustrisimo sought assistance through lawyer Lawrence Fortun regarding the alleged extortion activities of the two suspects. The two allegedly sought money in exchange for not exposing supposedly illegal logging activities, prompting the police to conduct a sting operation. Portugal was arrested in front of Gaisano Mall along Rosales Street almost noon Monday, after he received four marked P500. Seized from him was a cell phone used to call the victims. Vicente, known in local media circles as “Bob Vicente" for his daily commentary program aired every morning at radio station dxJM, was arrested Tuesday. Vicente was charged with robbery and extortion with violence against or intimidation of persons. Confiscated from him were four marked 500 peso bills amounting to P2,000, a Nokia mobile phone, a tape recorder, and one Honda Wave motorcycle. Vicente was arrested in an entrapment operation at Allcryss Videoke House along Capitol Drive, Butuan City. Both suspects did not issue comments. The two are in the custody of the CIDG regional office as of Friday. - GMANews.TV