By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) warned city businessmen of an increase in extortion cases, with some cases involving individuals introducing themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
According to BCPO spokesperson, Police Superintendent Noel Polines, their office has received several complaints from business owners who were receiving either calls or letters from the said individuals requesting money.
Polines confirmed some suspects threatened business owners if they did not cooperate.
He advised, if anybody has received such calls or letters, to report it immediately to the police.
However, he noted the difficulty in catching the suspects as they primarily use money remittance centers.
“It is difficult to trace where the money goes once the victims pay,” Polines stressed.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who was previously victimized and lost between P1,000 and P2,000, believes the crime is not being committed by members of the NPA and the name is only as a ruse for the crime.
He echoed the same advice as the police spokesperson, to immediately report such incidents, and urged business owners not to give in to demands./WDJ