After reading the back story, I wonder, why didn't he agree to pay protection money BUT, tell Philly and Ligambi that he needs their help and protection to get certain people to pay up first. ($60,000)

Does anyone have even the slightest clue on how much Philly would ask him to pay for protection? $2000 a month?
I am just throwing numbers around. I have zero idea.

Going after his $60,000 AND telling Philly to F off, only insured that he had to worry about 2 adversaries when he could have made it 1, for a price of course.