7 face charges in kidnapping of Rolito Go, nurse

Rolito Go. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DoJ) has approved the filing of kidnapping charges against seven men allegedly involved in the abduction of convicted killer Rolito Go and his private nurse from the New Bilibid Prison last year.

In a 21-page resolution approved by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, the DoJ finds basis to file kidnap-for-ransom charges against Emilio Ortiz, Lawrence Yurong, Emerson Guanzon, Fernando Francisco, Armando Mondero, Jerry Duenas and Reynaldo Tatad alias Reggie.

Ortiz, the alleged brains behind the brief abduction of Go and Klemens Yu, is believed to be a relative of Go’s road rage victim Eldon Maguan. Yu is Go’s nephew who serves as his private nurse.

The DoJ, however, dismissed the case against a certain Kumander Rico for lack of positive identification and evidence of clear participation.

Go and his nephew disappeared from the New Bilibid Prisons last August 14 and resurfaced two days later. Go insisted that he did not escape but that he and Yu were abducted.

The DoJ, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police investigated the case.

Probe showed that Go and Yu were brought to Brgy. San Vicente, Sto. Tomas, Batangas were they were held captive in a hut.

The seven suspects initially demanded P1 million from the victims.

The suspects were later able to withdraw P60,000 from a bank account of Yu.