3 cops now facing kidnap-robbery raps for missing ‘sabungero’

FILE PHOTO: Department of Justice (DOJ)

MANILA, Philippines – Prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted three police officers for the kidnapping and robbery of a “sabungero” or cockfighting aficionado.

In a press briefer issued Monday, indicted were Staff Sergeant Daryl G. Paghangan,  and Patrolmans Roy M. Navarete and Rigel S. Brosas.

“During preliminary investigation, the investigating panel finds probable cause against PSSG Paghangan, PAT Navarete, and PAT Brosas for robbery and kidnapping of [Ricardo] Lasco,” read the briefer.

Lasco was taken from his house on Aug. 30, 2021, by armed men who introduced themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Lasco was purportedly under arrest for large-scale estafa. They also took valuables from Lasco’s house.

A complaint was filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of San Pablo City. However, it was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Then, the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Special Task Force Sabungero conducted further investigation and discovered the involvement of Paghangan, Navarete, Brosas, Lieutenant Henry S. Sasaluya, Master Sergeant Michael J. Claveria.

During the investigation, relatives of Lasco were shown photos of several suspects and identified Paghangan, Navarete and Brosas which led to the filing of criminal complaints.

During the preliminary investigation, the police officers denied the allegation saying they were at a different place when Lasco was taken from his house.

But the prosecutors dismissed their defense and ordered the filing of robbery and kidnapping charges.

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JPV