Treñas to probe failed extortion attempt
City Mayor Jerry Treñas assured that he will conduct an investigation on the foiled attempt by an employee of the City Engineers Office (CEO) to extort money from the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation.
Treñas has yet to receive the copy of the complaint but he told City Hall reporters that proper action will be undertaken against a certain Ricardo Gumabong.
Gumabong, reportedly a regular employee of the CEO, tried to collect money from the fertilizer firm. It was learned however that his action was not sanctioned by the CEO.
Gumabong who posed as electrical inspector of the CEO billed Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corp. some P16,724.00 for the annual inspection fee, "as built" plan and for the signatures of electrical engineers.
Notably only Gumabong signed the purported billing statement.
It was not immediately known on what office Gumabong is detailed at present but reportedly he is frequently seen at the Iloilo City Hall.
Treñas said he will look into the details of Gumabong's action and all the documents which pinpoints Gumabong to the foiled extortion racket.
Sources said Gumabong is only one of the players of different extortion groups at the CEO preying on house and building owners that need to process the required permits mandated by the National Building Code.
The same source said Gumabong's foiled extortion try might open a can of worms at the engineers office as the latter do not only operate alone but with several others who have access to all the records of house and building owners at the CEO.