NBI arrests husband and wife for terrorism financing, fraud in Caloocan

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation–Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-OTCD) arrested a couple in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City for terrorism extortion, fraud, and financing of terrorism.

The suspects were identified by NBI Director Jaime Santiago as spouses Christopher Capitulo and Maria Elena Capitulo.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a Filipino businessman who reported receiving threats since 2018 from someone who identified himself as "Ka Ferdie," allegedly affiliated with the New People’s Army (NPA). The suspect had been extorting money from the businessman and his family in exchange for their safety, demanding annual payments amounting to over P2.6 million.

The threats were sent via cellphone number 0910-525-3340, with the payments deposited into a BDO account.

After verifying the information, NBI agents traced the number and linked it to the Capitulo couple. On 2 July 2025, under NBI supervision, the complainant made another deposit, which led to a controlled entrapment operation.

The bank account holder later admitted that her account had been used to receive money for her neighbor, Christopher Capitulo, in exchange for a cut from each transaction. Cooperating with the NBI, she delivered marked bills to the Capitulo couple. Once Chris received the money, both suspects were arrested.

Chris admitted to the extortion and turned over his cellphone containing the SIM card used to send the threats. The seized items were inventoried in the presence of barangay officials.

The suspects were booked at the NBI-OTCD and underwent inquest proceedings before the Caloocan City Prosecutor’s Office for multiple charges: Robbery (Extortion) under the Revised Penal Code, violation of Section 11(d) of Republic Act No. 11934 (SIM Registration Act), violation of Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10168 (Financing of Terrorism), and money laundering under Republic Act No. 9160, as amended.

They are now detained at the NBI Detention Facility in Muntinlupa.

Santiago reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks engaged in extortion, financial fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing.