Pasay RTC junks estafa case vs. 3 persons who 'posed' as senator's staff

The Pasay City Regional Trial Court-Branch 115 has junked the estafa case against individuals who allegedly posed as staff members of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for extortion activities.

According to a Balitanghali report on Wednesday, the court found insufficient basis to convict Dina Joson Castro, Ma Luisa Barlan, and another arrested individual.

The court has already ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to release the three individuals.

Meanwhile, the estafa case against Ryan Lester Dino and another suspect will continue.

In John Consulta's report on "Balitanghali" last November, Dino was found carrying an identification card indicating that he was working for the Office of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

According to an alleged victim, the suspects asked him to pay P500,000 in exchange for a landfill supply contract for a reclamation project in Pasay City. Another supposed victim, Modesto Gubaton, alleged that the suspects extorted P700,000 from him.

Gatchalian denounced the incident, including the misrepresentation of individuals claiming to be part of his staff for criminal activities. — Jamil Santos/VDV, GMA Integrated News