The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested an employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Zamboanga City last week for extorting P1 million from a bakery and grocery store owner.
The NBI identified the BIR employee in a statement as Revenue Officer IV (A) Flora Sarau Albao who was arrested last May 27 during an entrapment operation conducted by the NBI Western Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-WEMRO).
The bureau said Albao was caught receiving P500,000 from the complainant.
Albao has been charged with violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons under the Revised Penal Code as amended; violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; and violation of the Tax Reform Act of 1997.
“According to the complainant, a Notice of Discrepancy dated April 20, 2022 was served to her stating that she has internal tax liabilities for the taxable year January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 amounting to Php 30,716,845.24 and was given five (5) days to present and explain her side on the discrepancies noted by the investigating Revenue Officers,” the NBI said.
When the complainant sought more clarifications of the amount, Albao later offered that she could pay only P2 million.
“Subject Albao, however, told her to pay an upfront ‘SOP’ of Php 1,000,000.00 before they will release the schedule of payment of her tax due. Failure to comply with Subject’s demand and if the complainant engages the service of a lawyer, her case will be sent to their regional office and will be forced to pay the amount of Php 30,716,845.24. In addition, Subject Albao told the complainant that all her assets will be frozen,” the bureau said.
“Out of fear and panic, complainant immediately returned to Subject’s office bringing with her Php 500,000.00,” it added,
The complaint sought the help of the NBI when Albao demanded the rest of the P500,000.
