2 traffic violators also involved in extortion using FL Liza’s name

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

SWINDLERS. The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group nabs two persons for traffic violations along Filipinas Avenue in Parañaque City on Friday (June 13, 2025). Authorities later found that one of them was behind a swindling scheme by posing as a relative of the First Family to secure government contracts. (Photo courtesy of PNP-HPG)

MANILA – Two persons arrested for traffic violations by the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) were later found to be behind an extortion scheme using the name of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

HPG Director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said “Joselito” and “JJ Café” failed to present documents when their car was stopped for illegal use of a blinker and protocol plate number “12” (Cabinet undersecretary) along Filipinas Avenue in Parañaque City on Friday.

The HPG operatives also seized a 9mm pistol, ammunition, handheld radios, three bulletproof vests and a C-4 explosive.

“We are investigating because they appear to be ready for any armed confrontation, and why were they carrying C-4?” Matta said in a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Sunday.

“We are also conducting a follow-up operation because the report we received was that there was another vehicle that was able to flee.”

Ambassador Markus Lacanilao, Special Envoy on Transnational Crime, said Joselito was among the three arrested in an entrapment in Pasay City in March last year but later posted bail.

Joselito’s group allegedly threatened to shut down an emission testing business if the owner would not give PHP5 million.

Lacanilao said the apprehended vehicle was the same car used by three suspects.

He also confirmed that JJ Café was the same person who introduced himself as Office of the President undersecretary and a relative of the First Lady to get government contracts.

“They were asking money in exchange for the approval of business lime medicine and emission. And they were showing a video of the man posing as undersecretary at the Office of the President,” Lacanilao said.

Lacanilao advised the public not to yield to extortion demands using the name of the First Family and instead report the matter to authorities.

Matta said Joselito and JJ Café will face a string of criminal charges.