By: Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A taxi driver was arrested in an entrapment operation after he allegedly extorted money from a female call center agent at a lodging house in Barangay Bata here Thursday night.
Arrested was Romy Cortez, 47, of Barangay 1, Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Police Major Sherlock Gabana, head of Police Station 7, said the 20-year-old victim, whose name was withheld sought the assistance of the police after the suspect allegedly asked P10,000 from her to delete her alleged nude videos on his cellular phone.
Gabana said that the victim knew the suspect as she hired his taxi before the incident.
The driver then gave his cellular phone number to her and offered to send her to work, he added.
He said that the victim called him once but he didn’t pick her up.
After several days, the victim received a text message from an unknown sender asking for money.
Gabana said it was the driver’s modus to blackmail his female passengers for money or sexual favors.
The victim reported it to the police and decided to meet the suspect to arrest him.
The driver resisted during the entrapment operation and allegedly hit the police operatives as he tried to escape but he was subdued, Gabana said.
Gabana said no nude videos were recovered from the suspect’s cellular phones.
The taxi driver, who denied the accusations against him, is facing charges for resisting arrest, direct assault upon an agent in authority, and robbery extortion.
He is detained at Police Station 7.
