SAN SIMON, PAMPANGA — The mayor of San Simon, Pampanga was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly extorting ₱80 million from a steel manufacturing company seeking to set up operations in his town.
Along with the mayor, five of his bodyguards and a doctor who allegedly acted as a middleman in the transaction were also arrested.
The sting operation took place at a restaurant in Clark, Pampanga, where authorities reportedly recovered ₱30 million in marked money from the mayor — part of the ₱80 million he was allegedly demanding from the company.
According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the operation was carried out after the company filed a complaint regarding the excessive amount the mayor was demanding.
The mayor allegedly asked for ₱30 million as an initial payment.
“Kapag lumabas na yung resolution [ng council para payagan ang operasyon ng kompanya] saka babayaran yung kakulangan,” said Santiago.
The NBI also discovered that one of the mayor’s bodyguards was an active soldier who failed to present a mission order explaining his presence with the local official.
Several high-powered firearms were also confiscated from the group, which are now under verification for proper documentation.
According to reports, the mayor and his companions refused to give any statement regarding the arrest.
