Police seize P1.3M, guns in ex-cop’s house

Former Staff Sgt. Magdaleno Fernandez Pacia Jr. and his live-in partner Andrelyn Gayumali Naldoza. Photo from Philippine National Police -Anti-Kidnapping Group

MANILA, Philippines – Police have confiscated P1.3 million in cash, several firearms, ammunition, and a grenade from the house of a dismissed police officer allegedly involved in the kidnapping of five Chinese nationals.

Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) and the Las Piñas City Police simultaneously implemented search warrants against former Staff Sgt. Magdaleno Fernandez Pacia Jr. and his live-in partner Andrelyn Gayumali Naldoza in Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno in the couple’s two residences on Wednesday at around 5 a.m.

Brig. Gen. Glenn Dumlao, director of the PNP-AKG, said in a police report Friday that Naldoza was arrested in one of their properties in the village, but Pacia was not around when the police raided the other house.

Aside from cash, Dumlao said among the items confiscated at the house where Naldoza was collared were two caliber .45, a 9mm pistol, several bullets for different calibers of firearms including an M203 grenade launcher, a hand grenade, cellphones, police uniform with Pacia’s nameplate, and bull cap and badges with the logo of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Photo from Philippine National Police -Anti-Kidnapping Group

Also recovered at the same house were 150 Visa cards, 30 pieces of credit cards, and seven identification cards bearing the name Angel Vertucio, according to police.

Dumlao said Pacia was previously assigned at the Southern Police District in Metro Manila but was dismissed from police service in April 2018 for alleged robbery and illegal possession of explosives.

He said Pacia was allegedly involved in the kidnapping for ransom of five Chinese nationals in separate incidents this year. One of the victims, Fangmei Zhu, died while being treated at a hospital in February, a month after authorities rescued him in January.

Police filed on Wednesday charges against Naldoza for violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Republic Act 9516 for Illegal Possession of Explosives.

A manhunt operation is underway for the arrest of Pacia. (Editor: Eden Estopace)