BIR employee in Pangasinan nabbed over alleged extortion

A Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) employee was arrested in Lingayen, Pangasinan, on Tuesday morning over alleged extortion, GMA News' John Consulta reported on 24 Oras.

Edgardo Taron, a computer technologist at BIR-Calasiao, was arrested in an entrapment operation by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The complainant, who the NBI said asked to remain anonymous, was reportedly tricked into believing Taron would use his access to the BIR's database and alter his record on the list of business establishments with tax liabilities.

"Ayon sa kaniya (Taron), siya ang may kontrol doon sa mga computer na kung saan ay pini-print 'yung mga tax deficiency at magagawan niya, diumano, ng paraan upang matagal ang pangalan ng ating complainant sa listahan ng may tax deficiency," said NBI Electronics and Communication Division (ECD) chief Eric Nuqui.

The complainant reportedly paid Taron as much as P150,000 for his services, only to find out later that he only had a tax liability of P69,000.

"Ang hinihingi po sa akin noong una, P300,000. Hanggang sinabi niya, puwede daw niya hong [babaan]," said the complainant.

Apart from accepting marked bills in Tuesday's entrapment operation, the NBI found text exchanges between Taron and the complainant as evidence.

The BIR encoder is facing charges for direct bribery and violation of  the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Taron's cellphone is being examined for possible leads on other errant government officials engaged in corrupt practices.

"We have to adapt to what our honorable president wants. That is to clean this government. We will run after corrupt people in the government," NBI director Dante Gierran said. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News