A MAN allegedly pretending to be a police officer was arrested in Parañaque City for attempting to extort P1.1 million from a foreign businessman, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – National Capital Region (CIDG‑NCR) announced on Thursday.
According to CIDG‑NCR chief Col. John Guiagui, the suspect was apprehended by operatives at a parking lot within the Aseana City business district on Wednesday afternoon, following reports that he had been using the authority and name of the police force to intimidate and extort money from his target.
Identified as 41‑year‑old Mark Anthony Escueta, the suspect allegedly posed as a law enforcement official and threatened the victim with fabricated cases involving business registration issues, tax violations, and money laundering.
Guiagui explained in Filipino that Escueta used the threat of a supposed tax evasion investigation as leverage, offering to make the cases “disappear” in exchange for cash payments. To make his threats appear credible, he presented fake documents bearing the official seals of the National Capital Region Police Office and the Southern Police District.
One of the fraudulent papers was signed in the name of “Police Capt. Artemio Armada,” a supposed officer handling the case. However, during the media briefing at Camp Crame, the real Artemio Armada — now a Major assigned to the Manila Police District — appeared and categorically denied having signed or issued any such document. Armada clarified that he had no involvement in the matter and that his identity and signature had been unlawfully used by the suspect to deceive the victim and give weight to his extortion scheme.
Investigations revealed that Escueta’s scheme began as early as April, when he first demanded P500,000 from the foreign businessman, which the victim initially provided.
The demands later increased to P1.1 million, prompting the victim to seek police assistance and leading to the entrapment operation that resulted in the suspect’s arrest. Authorities warned the public, especially foreign investors and business owners, to verify the identity of individuals claiming to be police officers and to be vigilant against similar modus operandi, as legitimate law enforcers do not demand money in exchange for dropping or settling cases.
