Male nurse caught extorting cash from Sorsogon bishop

Is nothing sacred anymore?

A 26-year-old male nurse named Leo Fajardo Funtanares is now facing extortion charges after he was caught in an entrapment operation set up by the Sorsogon Provincial Police Office.

“Initial investigation revealed that on May 3, 2016, Funtanares went to the office of Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes. There, Funtanares allegedly told Bastes that he and a priest named Fr. Antonio Sardo were in a relationship,” reports MV Basmayor in Bicol Standard.

Funtanares reportedly asked Bishop Bastes to help him end the relationship with Fr. Sardo, who is under the bishop’s jurisdiction. Bastes reportedly promised to help him.

Bastes was shocked, though, when Funtanares returned to his office on May 13, 2016.

This time, the latter had a different agenda. Funtanares demanded that Bastes pay him PHP10 million so he would stay quiet about his relationship with Fr. Sardo. Funtanares was banking on the church’s desire to avoid scandal.

At first, Bastes refused to heed Funtanares’ demand. However, the latter was persistent. On May 25, Funtaneres allegedly lowered his demand to PHP5 million.

Due to the persistent threats from Funtanares, Bastes decided to give him PHP25,000 in cash on Jun 1. Bastes then told Funtanares to come back later in the month for the second installment.

On Jun 15, Bastes sought the assistance of the Sorsogon police and the suspect was caught in an entrapment operation.

The report noted: “The arrest happened Friday morning, Jun 17, at the Home for the Clergy in Barangay Bibincahan in Sorsogon City. Recovered from Funtanares were a mailing envelope containing PHP25,000; two short brown envelopes containing acknowledgement receipts signed by Funtanares dated June 1, 2016 and June 17, 2016; two mobile phones; and a driver’s license.”



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