Man posing as NBI agent arrested in Cainta

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a man who allegedly attempted to extort money while posing as one of the bureau's operatives.

Generoso Bitalac Lim, alias Boyet Cruz, was arrested in an entrapment operation in Cainta, Rizal last February 26, the NBI said Monday. He now faces a complaint for estafa and usurpation of authority.

The arrest stemmed from the complaint of a woman who told the NBI that Lim showed up at her house with a copy of the rape complaint her daughter had filed, saying he could hasten the arrest of the suspect in exchange for P20,000.

Kristine Dela Cruz of the NBI's Special Action Unit said the complainant reported to them that Lim identified himself as Boyet Cruz and claimed he had influence over prosecutors' issuance of subpoenas.

Dela Cruz said the man claimed he could delay the service of the subpoena to the respondent in the complaint so that they could not attend hearings, eventually leading to the issuance of a warrant of arrest against them.

He also allegedly threatened the complainant, purportedly claiming that the respondent in the rape complaint has connections to Cainta's mayor.

"Sinabi niya na 'alam mo ba na isang cause ng dismissal ng case is 'yung death ng complainant?' Tinatakot niya na wag na raw hintayin na mangyari ang gano'ng pagkakataon," Dela Cruz said at a press briefing.

A verification of the information from the complainant, whom the bureau did not name, led to the planning of an entrapment operation.

The man allegedly claimed to be from the NBI's Violence Against Women and Children Desk. But the bureau certified that the man is not an agent or an employee, officials said.

NBI officials urged the public to report suspicious persons to authorities. —LDF, GMA News