‘Terror’ financiers, extortionists fall

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

NBI director Jaime Santiago identified the suspects as spouses Christopher Capitulo and Maria Elena Capitulo.

The arrests stemmed from a complaint by a Filipino businessman who reported years of threats from an individual identifying himself as “Ka Ferdie,” allegedly affiliated with the New People’s Army (NPA). The businessman claimed that since 2018, the suspect had extorted annual payments from him and his family for their safety.

Threats were allegedly made via cellphone number 0910-525-3340, with more than P2.6 million deposited into a BDO bank account.

After an investigation, the NBI traced the extortion number to individuals linked to the Capitulo couple. On 2 July 2025, following another deposit made by the complainant under NBI supervision, authorities conducted an entrapment operation.

The holder of the bank account admitted her account was used to receive money for her neighbor, Chris Capitulo, in exchange for a cut of each transaction. She cooperated with the NBI-OTCD, using marked bills to deliver cash to the Capitulo couple as part of a controlled follow-up operation. NBI operatives arrested both suspects once Chris Capitulo received the money.

Chris Capitulo admitted his involvement in the extortion and surrendered his cellphone, which contained the SIM card allegedly used to send threats. An inventory of seized items was conducted in the presence of barangay officials.

The couple was taken to the NBI-OTCD for booking and underwent inquest proceedings before the Caloocan City Prosecutor’s Office.