NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Melencio Nartatez (Photo screengrab from PNP’s Facebook livestream)
MANILA, Philippines — The four police officers arrested for allegedly kidnapping a Malaysian and three Chinese nationals last June 2 will face administrative cases, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
In a press briefing on Wednesday, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Melencio Nartatez said administrative complaints will be filed against Senior Master Sergeant Angelito David, Staff Sergeant Ralph Tumangil, Master Sergeant Ricky Tabora, and Major Carlo Villanueva. The four were already charged with kidnapping for ransom, robbery, and carnapping.
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“We will not stop on the filing of criminal charges, but of course, ako ‘yung (I am the) regional director, I have admin jurisdiction over these personnel, and corresponding administrative charges will be filed, such that matter of two to three months, magkaroon tayo ng (we will have a) disposition,” Martinez said.
“We will have some information or discontinuing investigations that will finally lead to unearthing several cases they may have committed in the past. We are closely coordinating with the AKG (Anti-Kidnapping Group) for the information and evidence that may be used in the case against them,” he added.
In the same briefing, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos revealed that the four cops, along with two individuals, identified as Marion Quiambao Badando and Roderick Valbuena, and eight others known only by their aliases, may likely be part of a syndicate. He added that Badando, Valbuena, and the other eight remain at large.
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“Lumalabas sindikato na nga ito. Tignan mo, more than two or three grouped themselves for common illegal purpose; it could termed as a syndicate,” he said.
(It appears this is a syndicate since two or more have grouped themselves for a common illegal purpose. This could be called a syndicate.)
Citing a police report, Abalos revealed that two of the four victims, Meng Zhao, 29, and Yang Zhuan Zhuan, 30, were kidnapped early Sunday morning after a police motorcycle and a white van flagged their car along Taft Avenue in Pasay City.
The two others, identified as Zhi Yi Xuan, 32 (Chinese), and Tang Heng Fei, 25 (Malaysian), escaped.
According to the DILG chief, Zhi and Tang reported what happened to barangay officials nearby. They also paid a ransom worth P2.5 million, resulting in Meng and Yang’s release around 6 a.m. on June 3.
The suspects were apprehended during a manhunt operation launched by the National Capital Region Police Office, along with operatives from the Southern Police District and the AKG.