MANILA – An official of the Manila International Container Port (MICP) was arrested for extortion on Friday, authorities said.

The official, Rene Palgan, allegedly asked for P50,000 in exchange for the release of a container van carrying linoleum rolls.

A complaint was filed by a certain Rose de Luna, prompting National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director Reynaldo Esmeralda to conduct an entrapment operation.

Palgan was arrested though the joint efforts of the Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the Criminal Investigation Division.

Palgan was brought to NBI office in Manila to be investigated. -- Report from Ricky Velasco, dzMM