Dismissed cop wanted for kidnapping nabbed in Tarlac

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome presents to the media arrested suspect ex-Police Officer 2 Joel Tapec,who is on the list of the PNP’s Most Wanted Kidnappers. Photo by INQUIRER.net’s Jamie elona

MANILA, Philippines – A dismissed cop listed among the Philippine National Police’s Most Wanted Kidnappers since 2005 was arrested in Tarlac on Tuesday and presented to the media Thursday.

PNP chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, identified the suspect formerly assigned at the Eastern Police District as former Police Officer 2 Joel Tapec, the alleged leader of “notorious” group Dose Pares Group involved in robberry hold-up and kidnapping which operates in cities of Pasig, and Makati; and Quezon province and Rizal. He has six pending arrest warrants.

Tapec was arrested in Barangay (village) Poblacion 4, Moncada, Tarlac around 2 p.m. on September 18.

“The arm of the law is, indeed, long,” Bartolome said.

The Dose Pares Group, he said, was involved in the kidnap and killing of Michael Chan who was abducted on Sept. 15, 2005 along Katipunan Road in Quezon City. Nine other members of the group are also cops.

Tapec had a P275,000 bounty for his arrest.