Aunt plotted robbery-extortion on La Salle Greenhills student – cop

MANILA, Philippines — The aunt of a La Salle Greenhills student who fell prey to a robbery-extortion scheme on Sunday afternoon, confessed to the police on Monday that she and a man plotted the crime.

The case investigator, SPO4 Marifer Bala of the Pasig police’s women’s desk, said that Annalyn Perez, who was initially reported to have been held up together with her nephew, admitted to her role in extorting P40,000 from the family of her 12-year-old Grade 8 nephew. She added that Perez confessed to the crime while they were conducting a follow-up investigation on the case at around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, because “her conscience was bothering her.”

At around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, Bala said that Perez, the victim and his father reported to them the robbery-extortion that occurred nearly five hours earlier inside the LSGH’s parking lot in Mandaluyong City. Perez told authorities that while her nephew was about to take the backseat of the silver Toyota Vios she was driving, an unidentified man suddenly barged into the vehicle, pointed at the child a still undetermined weapon that was tucked in his shirt and declared the heist.

PO2 Catherine Capinpin, the Eastern Police District assistant spokesperson, said that Perez identified, on Monday, the man as a certain “Billy,” whom she “made an arrangement” with to commit the crime.

Bala said that Billy called up the student’s father and demanded from him P100,000, which he said he would use for his mother’s treatment. The victim’s father, however, told the suspect that they didn’t have that kind of amount. The suspect later agreed to free the victim and Perez for P40,000.

The victim’s father met the suspect at Tiendesitas in Pasig City, where his son was dropped off. He added that the suspect then asked Perez to drive him off to Starmall in Mandaluyong City, where he got out of the car and reportedly rode a motorcycle.

Bala said that when she asked the victim’s father why he didn’t contact authorities when he had the chance, he told her that he feared for the safety of his son. While the victim’s family reported the incident to authorities, they insisted that it only be put on record for future reference.

Insp. Roberto Garcia, head of the Pasig police’s investigation unit, said that Perez, a cousin of the child’s mother, would spend the night in jail and will be charged with robbery in relation to Republic Act No. 7610, or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.” He added that a manhunt operation against Billy was launched on Monday.

Garcia told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview that Perez “wanted to earn money” for a family member who was ill.

Meanwhile, Bro. Victor Franco, the LSGH president, issued a statement for the parents assuring them that “the school is implementing all necessary precautions to continually ensure the safety and security of everyone, especially the students, when they are inside the school premises.”

Franco noted that the incident occurred after players and guests of the Football Festival being held at LSGH grounds started to leave. In the wake of the crime, he said they would review and strengthen their existing safety and security protocols.

“The school officials are cooperating with law enforcement agencies in the ongoing investigation. We are thankful that our student is safe and we are in communication with his parents to help them ensure his health and well-being,” read Franco’s letter, a copy of which was sent to the Inquirer.  -Jovic Yee, SFM