Over the past 2 weeks you may have noticed that I have not participated on the site nearly as much as normal. I have tried to keep active, but something happened a couple of weeks ago that kept me from spending as much time on-site as I usually do, and has really monopolized my time a great deal.
During Holy Week, one morning I was checking my e-mail as I do every morning after I wake up. I usually have several dozen e-mails waiting for me (usually more than that, I guess), and this particular morning was no exception. When I got about halfway through the various e-mails, though, I got a shock! The next e-mail to read was a mail sent to me through my Contact Form on one of my other blogs. Somebody had gone to this other site of mine and entered an e-mail to me to be sent through the Contact Form. When I opened the e-mail, I instantly noticed that this was a threat that was sent to me.
The e-mailer identified himself as an Al Qaeda operative, and demanded extortion money. He told me that if he did not receive the money, he would “make history” in three days time at a local Mall/Department Store. My first reaction was to think that this was just a joke, some guy with extra time on his hands just playing around on the net. But, the letter seemed very serious, and not something to just laugh off. Feyma and I discussed it, and decided to contact the authorities. Within 30 minutes I actually had Philippine Military personnel at my house to check out what this was all about. After reading the e-mail, they immediately told me that this was not a joke, but a serious matter, and that this person had threatened other businesses and businessmen around town in recent weeks. Although they felt that he did not have the capability to carry out his threats, they also felt that he should not be taken lightly.
I was asked by the local PNP and Military if I would be willing to cooperate with them in an effort to catch the “terrorist” (as he called himself). I reflected on it, but decided to go ahead and help in whatever way I could. After some rather long hours, several more e-mails from the guy, and intense efforts on both my part as well as the authorities, thankfully, the perpetrator was apprehended last week.
While I don’t want to go into too much detail about the case, I will say that they guy is now in jail, and a case against him is pending. There are other things still going on behind the scenes too.
What I would like to say is this – both the Philippine National Police and the Military unit “Task Force Davao” did an excellent job in this case. They worked closely with me, answered all the questions that I had, made themselves available to me 24/7, and were thorough in their work. I was pleased to see how well they handled the situation. I really give a big thumbs-up to the efforts that the authorities made in this case.
I will also say that the threat that was made was not against me or my family. But, the fellow used my website as a conduit to get his message to other business people here in Davao City. Anytime something like this would happen it is only natural that the people involved (Feyma and I) would feel apprehensive about the safety of our family, especially the kids. However, honestly, I never really felt threatened myself. I am happy that I contacted the authorities, though, especially since they handled the situation so thoroughly and professionally.
It would seem that all is now quiet on the home front, and I am happy for that. I hope that the excitement of the past 2 weeks will not visit us again in the future! If it does, though, I am confident that the local authorities here in Davao can handle the situation.
UPDATE: Here is a link to a newspaper article about the incident. I will say that the article is not 100% accurate, but it does give the general plot of the events.
Nice to hear the good guy wins this round, kudos Bob !!!
Wow, that's a pretty exciting story in a nervous sort of way… I am sure you did the right thing and it is very reassuring that it was handled so professionally by those who should be handling this sort of thing. Good for them! I hope the loose ends will be tied up neatly and that the Philippines will continue to be a more secure place to live and do business all the time!
Hey Bob,
Thats some scary shit!!
Do you think you were targeted because you DO NOT keep a low profile and (according to what I have read here) you have put yourself in the position of being pretty well known there in Davao.
It would suck to think that because the successes you have had with your internet ventures, you have put you and your family in harms way. And perhaps a ExPat living in RP would be better off keeping a even lower profile in the community.
Hi Americanlola – Yeah, it was exciting, but in a bad sort of way. I am glad that for the most part it is over. I think that the only thing I will have to do now is to go testify when it goes to court, which I also am not looking forward to. 🙁
Hi Neal in RI – Yes, it is true that I am very well known around here. However, note in my article, I said that I was not threatened, nor was my family. One of my websites was basically used as a conduit for the message of this crazy guy. I suppose it could have happened to anybody.
Bob
Seems like this is a big thumbs up for the authorities here and the way you also handled it, scary though at the time, but a good story with an excellent ending, extortion is nasty and through the web / cyber way easy to target people almost at random. Well done
Hi rick b – Thanks for the vote of confidence! Hope to see you soon!
Hi Bob – Funny thing, I was thinking about you when I read of that fellow's apprehension in the on-line newspapers. The limited "info" in the papers said he was making his threats from internet cafes, etc., etc.
My thoughts concerning you didn't even come close to you being a participant in the story. They were more in the, "Wonder What Bob's Going To Say About This?" and "Will Bob Say Anything About This?" categories. Guess I got my answer!
Wonder if there will be any follow-up posts that may include any potential good/bad things? Copy-cats and other bad guys may try to imitate or possibly worse?
Hi Paul – Ha ha… I have been so busy, I didn't even realize that it had been in the papers! Yeah, if I glean more information that is applicable to this site, I will most certainly post follow-ups.
Hi brian – I guess the good guys have to win from time to time! 😆
Hey Bob I'm happy to hear that this situation has cleared up for you. I give the authorities a big"bravo Zulu" for the job they did as well. The talk of al queda is really a serious situation as we all are aware around the world. In your case, even though you did not feel personally threatened you must agree that that is too close for comfort. On the American side, I bet if you were here you probably would not get the response and support as quick as you did. So, once again a job well done for you and the authorities especially. Tony
Good Job Mr. Martin. Ron
Hi Tony Grosse – I think that US Authorities would be on top of it too, I hope I am not wrong on that!
Hi Ron LaFleur – Thanks!
good luck Bob you careful
Thank God,everything will be alright w/ you Bob.
Hi Zois and Roy – thanks for your kind words.
The decision that you've made to coordinate with the PNP and Military was excellent. Even if it's only a joke, a person should be apprehended and questions his/her motives of making such joke then penalize him/her for what he/she did. I wish all the the bad guys, specially the extorionist in any form, will be apprehended then be punished accordingly. These guys are actually coward and lazy.
Well Bob, I'm really glad you and your family are ok.. I feel that you were just a means to an extremist's end and that it was nothing personal. Maybe that's the price you pay for being either having a high profile in your region or just the fact your an ex American who knows?
Just take care at the court hearing although as I said I don't think it was personal. If you or your family need anything here in Australia let me know.
Take care
Good to hear that all is well. Lucky your dealing with the Davao authorities, elsewhere in the country it may have been a different story.
Hi Teng S – I agree, it's a cowardly act.
Hi Nicolas – I agree, it wasn't personal, just wish it hadn't been me at all! 😆
Hi Peter – I can't say how authorities in other areas would have dealt with it, but hopefully just as good.
Hi Bob,well done glad it turned out ok.The guy cant have been very bright to send e-mail from an internet cafe. 🙄 Well done to the PNP and others involved in the investigation.
Hi john j. – The guy made other moves that lead to his capture too. I can't go into it at this time, but let's just say that he is not the brightest guy in town. 😆
Bob… You did the right thing in reporting this. It may have appeared to be a joke at first, but the potential threat is all too real. Just try and keep yourself safe. A big thumbs up to the PNP… I think sometimes they get a bad rap that is exaggerated or unjustified.
Bob,
Glad to know that everybody in your family is okay. Unfortunately, these thugs get a high when they get their way, they have to be stopped. You did a great thing for my country and the people.
PRAISE to the PNP and the authorities!
Thank you!
Hi Bob,
That's a very scary thing. Smart decision to get the authorities involved though! For whatever it's worth, just be safe and always watch your back, you'll never know…..
Take care…..
Hi John Miele – I agree, never just blow off something that could be serious like this!
Hi MarcelinaWW – Thanks for your kind words. I'm with you when heaping praise on the PNP and others.
Hi Veechee – Indeed it is scary! Thank you for your nice comment.
Good write-up, Bob. How cooincidental that of all times, I happened to be there on the scene for part of the adventure (thanks for the wonderful hospitality and Davao experience, bythe way).
To those convinced that the Phlippines is only a backward country and that law enforcement here is incompetent, I submit thta actions speak louder than words … I was very favorably impressed by the way the authorities handled this.
Hopefully this is the end of it, but I feel a little better if something happens in the future based on the acions I saw being taken
Hi Dave Starr – I'm glad that you enjoyed your trip to Davao! I'm just sorry that I had this nonsense with the e-mailer going on while you were here. But, I also enjoyed seeing you and some of the activities that we did while you were here.
Hi Bob Ihave been in hopital again wiyh this dam ear . I leave you alone for a few days and you go and have all the fun . Serously it is a strange world we live in nowadays.The family is safe and that is good news.
Hi frank fealey – sorry to leave you out like that! 😆 Seriously, though, sorry to hear that you have been hospitalized again! I hope that they took care of the problem for good this time! Get well soon!
Glad to hear you had a good experience with Task Force Davao as A American from Minnesota who lives in Davao they have helped me alot also I am glad to read now they caught this guy.GOOD JOB PNP AND TFD!!!!
Hi John – You live in Davao? I'm surprised that we've never met! If you see me around town, be sure to say "hi"! Yes, I am very happy with the job that TFD and the local PNP did on this case.
Final Word For Now? The Journal Online follows up with word that the perp is a con man and not an Al-Qaeda terrorist. (Late official action, late dissemination of info or slow news day – you decide! 🙄 )
Hi Paul – Thanks for the update! The final word will (hopefully) come when the guy is in a Court of Law and convicted.
Hi Bob Back in hospital on Tuesday the ear problem has lead to a brain in fection . OH well look on the bright side at least it con firms i have a brain.
Hi Frank – That's no good! I hope that you are feeling better soon. Good to know that you have a brain, but let's try to keep it in good condition!