STA. MARIA – an extortionist posing as a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed during a shootout in an entrapment set by policemen here Thursday night.

The dead man was identified through a card found in his wallet as Melchor Pagco, 25, purportedly a native of barangay Bayaoas, Urdaneta City. A verification with the Urdaneta City police on Friday however showed that name is non-existent.

Senior Inspector Arthur Amin, Sta. Maria chief of police, said the suspect together with his cohorts on a van and four motorcycles, were to pick up P100,000 which they demanded as alleged revolutionary tax from one Rodolfo Calpo,owner of Carruar gasoline station in Sta. Maria.

He said Calpo is only among several men from Sta. Maria and eastern Pangasinan who are believed to have received alleged extortion letters from supposed NPAs.

The businessman expressed doubt that those who demanded the money from him were real NPAs because he received the extortion letter just after motorcycle men held up his gasoline station and took only P500.

At that time, they had just deposited their sales proceeds for two weeks in the bank.
Calpo agreed to give in to the demand of the extortionists but tipped off Amin about the matter and when the suspects were picking up money at a designated place at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, lawmen pounced on them and a shoot out occurred.

Only one of the suspects was hit as his companions were able to escape aboard their van and motorcycles, taking advantage of the darkness.

Senior Inspector Amin said based on the investigation conducted by his men, the extortionists could be member of a local gang in eastern Pangasinan posing as rebels in order to earn easy money.