CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—San Simon Mayor Abundio Punsalan was arrested by the Intelligence Service of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for alleged extortion amounting to ₱80 million from the Real Steel Corporation.
NBI Manila Assistant Director Noel Cruz Bocaling, intelligence chief, led the operation at Cafe Mesa inside Clark Freeport around 5:30PM on Aug. 5.
Mayor Punsalan did not resist arrest.
The mayor had allegedly asked an initial ₱30 million, with ₱50 million to be given in installments, from Real Steel – which operates in San Simon town – in exchange for a resolution favoring the company in relation to alleged environmental violations.
According to the NBI, the entrapment operation was conducted following complaints from Irwin Chua and Mel Arellano, president and corporate secretary of Real Steel.
The mayor’s bodyguards, found with firearms and ammunition, were disarmed during the operation.
Meanwhile, the NBI will file cases against Punsalan for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
