3 policemen in kidnap-for-ransom fall, another killed in Taguig

Alleged members of a kidnap-for-ransom gang composed of policemen lie on the ground after an entrapment operation in Taguig City before dawn Tuesday. SOUTHERN POLICE DISTRICT PHOTO

UPDATED @ 12:30 p.m. of July 31, 2018, to include details and a corrected number of suspects.

A suspect was killed while three other members of an alleged kidnap-for-ransom group composed of policemen were arrested during an operation of the Southern Police District (SPD) on Tuesday morning.

The SPD named the arrested lawmen as PO2 Joey Maru, PO1 Paolo Ocampo and PO1 Bryan Amir Bajoof. The slain suspect was identified as PO1 Gerardo Ancheta.

According to the SPD, the four policemen barged into the house of a certain Ronielyn Caraecle on Viscara Street, New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, at around midnight Monday.

They then allegedly took Caraecle’s valuables that included two gold watches and signature wallets, all worth P7,000.

The policemen then reportedly took Caraecle and her boyfriend, Samuel, and demanded P50,000 in exchange for their freedom.

NCRPO director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar (center) confronts one of the policemen allegedly involved in a kidnap-for-ransom operation in Taguig City. SOUTHERN POLICE DISTRICT PHOTO

The woman’s relatives managed to raise P20,000 and handed these to the policemen so Caraecle was freed.

Samuel remained with the group to ensure that the remaining P30,000 would be handed later.

Caraecle sought the help of the police and an entrapment operation was set at a construction site along Tandem Street, Arca South, Western Bicutan, Taguig. The operation was led by the Taguig City Police Special Drug Enforcement Unit and Special Operations Unit.

During the entrapment, the rogue lawmen allegedly put up a fight which led to a shootout where Ancheta was killed.

Investigators said the abduction of Caraecle and Samuel was the second by the rogue policemen in a span of a few hours.

On Monday night, they also reportedly victimized a certain Moreen del Castillo from whom they allegedly also extorted P50,000.

Four pistols with magazines and two extra magazines were recovered from the suspects, who are facing charges of robbery hold-up and kidnap for ransom.

Also, seized from the suspects were P10,600 cash, a watch, three cellphones, and illegal drug paraphernalia. Two sachets of shabu were also reportedly found on Ancheta. /cbb