Pubdate: Tue, 24 May 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author: Raquel C. Bagnol
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

VIGILANTE GETS 5 DAYS, FINED P200 FOR THREATS

A SELF-confessed member of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) who was accused
of trying to extort P60,000 from a lawyer and threatening that her son
will be killed if she does not hand over the amount demanded has been
sentenced to five days in jail plus a fine of P200.

In a one-page decision, Judge Jesus V. Quitain of the Regional Trial
Court (RTC) Branch 15 Monday sentenced Emilio Dexter Centillas of
Davao Oriental for grave threats.

Centillas pleaded guilty when arraigned.

Chief City Prosecutor Raul Bendigo approved the filing of charges
against Centillas for allegedly trying to extort money from lawyer
Teresita dela Pena, of Avancena Street in Matina and employee of the
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Bureau (LTFRB), in
exchange for removing her son's name from the drug watch list on October 5.

Dela Pena in her affidavit said she received a telephone call at the
LTFRB office around 5 p.m. on September 21 from a man who identified
himself as a member of the DDS.

The caller told her that her son was included in the list of those
allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade and asked P60,000 from
her to remove her son's name from the list.

Dela Pena reported the incident to her husband, who in turn
coordinated with the police authorities.

When the suspect called her up again the following day, she promised
him that she will give an initial amount of P5,000 at 9 p.m. that day
in front of their house.

The caller however sensed a set-up and did not pick up the money as
arranged.

Dela Pena said that on October 4, another alleged DDS member who
identified himself as Centillas called her and told her they will get
the money at a gasoline station on Quezon Boulevard in Davao City at
2:30 that afternoon.

Dela Pena said she promised Centillas she will give P30,000 but again,
the pay-off did not push through as the caller seemed to have sensed
another set-up.

The pay-off finally took place at the parking area of Victoria Plaza
in Bajada at around 4:45 on October 5, which led to the arrest of
Centillas and his companion, Police First Class Arnel Macas of the
404th Brigade based in Mawab, Compostela Valley.

Police authorities were also able to confiscate an unlicensed .45 Colt
pistol, a magazine containing six live ammunition, a cellular phone,
identification card and cash amounting to P800 from Macas' possession.
- ---