Man charged for letter threat
A man is in hot water for sending a threatening letter to a woman in the Philippines, where he made it appear that the communication came from a Philippine communist guerilla group.
Crisanto Ticman Balolong of Garapan allegedly sent the threatening letter to one Filoma B. Francisco in the Philippines last March 1.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Bowers, the letter contained threatening words, to wit: “If you don’t want anything to happen to your family, send your spouse home. We will give you three weeks; otherwise, they won’t see you alive.”
Balolong allegedly made it appear that the letter came from communist guerilla group New People’s Army’s Central Luzon Command.
Bowers charged Balolong with transmitting threatening communications before the U.S. District Court. Balolong denied the charge yesterday.
Chief Judge Alex R. Munson imposed a $25,000-unsecured bond on Balolong, allowing the defendant’s conditional release. As part of the conditions of the bond, the judge required Balolong to maintain employment or actively seek one.
The judge directed Balolong to surrender his passport to the court, scheduling a jury trial to begin by Aug. 16.
Munson prohibited Balolong to refrain possession of any firearm or illegal drugs. (John Ravelo)
