MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two individuals in Malate, Manila for allegedly extorting money while posing as NBI personnel.

The suspects, Ramil Bautista y Baral, alias “Eddie Cruz,” and Audwin Flores y Almeda, alias “Barry,” were apprehended by the NBI-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division (NBI-OTCD) following an entrapment operation.

The operation stemmed from a complaint that Bautista, claiming to be NBI Intelligence personnel, demanded Php33,000 weekly from a private business to prevent law enforcement raids on the company’s warehouses. Flores was reportedly involved in receiving the extorted money.

Recovered from Bautista were four mobile phones and identification cards, while Flores yielded Php33,000 in cash, an NBI wallet badge, several NBI IDs, and a mobile phone. Verification showed the phones had been used to contact the complainant and other import brokers. Bautista is a former job order employee, while Flores is a current job order personnel.

The two were presented for inquest before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Manila and face charges of Robbery with Violence or Intimidation by Extortion, Usurpation of Authority, and for Bautista, Using a Fictitious Name, in violation of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. A third suspect, identified as “Max Araneta Santos,” remains at large.

NBI-OTCD emphasized its commitment to protecting the public and upholding integrity, urging citizens to report any individual impersonating NBI personnel or engaging in suspicious activities through the Bureau’s official channels.