2 cops in Edsa kidnap charged with same crime in 2011
Recovered Hi-Ace van with conduction sticker number YF9767 and plate marked “M. ALAB” seen in the viral video of a gun-poking and assault incident along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) in Mandaluyong City last September 1, 2014. The car is in the custody of Philippine National Police Mandaluyong City Police Station. LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — Two cops involved in the Edsa robbery-kidnap incident last week have been charged with the same crime in 2011, a police offical said, adding that the cases against them are still pending before the National Police Commission.
The official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, stated that in 2011, Senior Police Officer 1 Rameil Hachero and Police Officer 2 Jonathan Rodriguez were charged with illegal arrest, serious illegal detention, and extortion.
Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta was quoted as saying that in November 2011, Hachero and Rodriguez stopped a vehicle, arrested its passengers, brought them to the police station and slapped them with an illegal drugs charge.
Escueta added that the victims were freed after paying the cops.
Both cops are stationed at the La Loma Police Station.
Rodriguez has been arrested on Monday while Hachero remains at large.
Roxas unaware
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said Wednesday he did not know that the two cops involved in the brazen kidnap-for-ransom incident have been charged with the same crime in 2011.
“Honestly, this is the first time I’ve heard about this so I cannot answer why nothing happened to the cases,” Roxas said in Filipino in a radio interview.
He, however, vowed that the Napolcom will conduct an inventory of pending cases filed against the cops.
Roxas also said that they were focused on the manhunt operations to track down other cops involved in the case.
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