Ang Pahayagan

PAMPANGA—Operatives of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), spearheaded by its Intelligence Service (NBI-IntS) arrested San Simon, Mayor Abundio “Jun” Punsalan Jr. and his cohort Ed Ryan Dimla in Clark, Angeles, Pampanga, for alleged violations of Art. 293 of the Revised Penal Code (Robbery), violation of RA 3019 also known as the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” and Sec. 28 of RA 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms).

According to a report, the NBI-IntS received a complaint on July 30 from the Corporate Secretary and General Manager of RealSteel Corp. regarding a certain Eric Yabut, who represented himself as an officer San Simon municipality and had ordered the company to halt all construction and hauling activities.

Complainant was contacted by Ed Ryan Dimla, who claimed to be the External City Administrator and a representative of Mayor Punsalan. Dimla allegedly demanded a payment of Php30,000,000.00 to ensure the municipality’s non-interference in the implementation of Ordinance No. 24-0025, which provides tax incentives to Realsteel Corp.

Additionally, another Php125,000,000.00 was demanded as a reimbursement for political expenses supposedly incurred by Punsalan to counter his opponent’s political support.

Investigation revealed that Dimla had, on several occasions, threatened the Complainant. He stated that failure to pay would lead to denial, stalling or cancellation of their business permits and other regulatory requirements, as well as revocation of the ordinance granting them tax incentives.

As a result, the NBI-IntS planned an entrapment operation for August 5, 2025, after the Complainant and DIMLA agreed to meet in Clark, Pampanga, to finalize the transaction.

Mayor Punsalan and Dimla were arrested in flagrante delicto as they received marked money during the payoff.