The National Bureau of Investigation Cebu District Office (NBI CEBDO) arrested a customs broker accused of extorting thousands of pesos from a client company for the release of a shipment.

However, the suspect denied vehemently the accusation, citing the legitimacy of his services.

Personnel of NBI CEBDO raided the office of the suspect in Barangay San Roque, Cebu City.

 The raid was based on a complaint against the customs broker, who vowed allegedly to the client of a special arrangement for the release of the said shipment.

The company paid the package fee worth P561,000 for the release of a container van from abroad that transported used vehicle replacement parts.

However, the suspect demanded purportedly another P163,000.

“Nag-demand siya’g mga additional charges. Mao lagi to contention sa company: Di man namo na sala ang gipang-charge niya, nag-overstay ang container sa yarda or sa Customs,” explained Atty. Niño Rodriguez, NBI CEBDO agent in-charge.

A case for estafa was filed against the suspect.

“Manifest ang iyang modus nga i-detain ang kargamento para maka-demand siya’g kwarta,” Rodriguez added.

However, in an interview with members of the media, the suspect stood ground that he operates in legitimacy, and that he has a license to protect.

He pointed out that it took long for the processing of cargo release that was later declared abandoned, which means more fees to settle.

He reiterated he is not into fraudulent business, with a broker's license to protect.

“Wala’y estafa gyud nga nahitabo, naay resibo, naay resibo gyud, sir…in proper venue ma-prove nako, and the liquidation itself,” the suspect said.