MANILA — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested a couple in Caloocan City allegedly involved in a years-long extortion scheme while posing as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a statement, the NBI’s Organized and Transnational Crime Division (OTCD) said spouses Christopher and Maria Elena Capitulo were arrested in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan after receiving marked money in a controlled delivery operation on July 2, 2025.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a Filipino businessman, who had reportedly been receiving threats since 2018 from a person identifying himself as “Ka Ferdie” — who claimed to be affiliated with the communist insurgent group. The suspect demanded yearly payments in exchange for the complainant’s and his family’s safety.

The businessman said he had deposited more than ₱2.6 million to a BDO bank account linked to the suspects. The threatening messages came from a single mobile number — 0910-525-3340 — which NBI investigators traced back to the Capitulo couple.

During the entrapment operation, a bank account holder linked to the suspects admitted that she allowed her account to be used by her neighbor, Chris Capitulo, in exchange for a cut of the funds. Under NBI supervision, she delivered the marked bills to Chris, who received the cash and was immediately arrested alongside his wife.

Upon arrest, Chris Capitulo confessed to his role in the extortion and surrendered the mobile phone and SIM card used to send threats. Barangay officials witnessed the inventory of items seized.

The Capitulo couple now faces multiple charges, including:

• Robbery (Extortion) under the Revised Penal Code,
• Violation of Section 11(d) of the SIM Registration Act (RA 11934),
• Financing of Terrorism under RA 10168, and
• Money Laundering under RA 9160, as amended.

They are currently detained at the NBI Detention Facility in Muntinlupa pending further legal proceedings.

The NBI reiterated its commitment to cracking down on individuals and networks involved in extortion, financial fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing, warning the public to remain vigilant and report similar threats.