MPD ‘dirty dozen’ sued for kidnapping

Twelve policemen assigned at the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 4, including their commander, were charged with kidnapping Tuesday in the city prosecutor’s office after a Filipino Canadian accused them of extorting P1 million from her.

On top of the filing of the case against them, the policemen were also ordered relieved by MPD director Chief Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez pending the results of an investigation into the allegations against them.

At the same time, Gutierrez called on the suspects, including station commander Superintendent Rolando Balasabas, to surface and air their side on Belinda Rivera Placido’s complaint.

Of the 12, only Police Officer 1 Joseph Vistan has been taken into custody and subjected to inquest proceedings.

On Monday, Placido sought the help of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim as she filed a complaint against Balasabas, nine other policemen and her boyfriend Senior Police Officer 3 Sonny Nosidal who is assigned at the Police Security Protection Group in Camp Crame.

Initially named in the complaint were Balasabas, Nosidal, Vistan, PO3 Michael Pornilos, SPO1 Renato Gregorio, PO2 Josepino Callora, PO2 Rolando Ladres, PO2 Dennis Tablizo, PO2 Petrous Ryan Malacad, PO2 Laurence Sagum and PO1 Journey Joy Asayo. The name of another policeman, PO3 Melvin Pornilos, was later added.

Placido said the policemen arrested her on Sept. 12 in Zambales province and brought her to the Sampaloc station where PO3 Michael Pornilos asked her to pay P1 million so that Nosidal, who had accused her of masterminding the stabbing of his daughter, would drop the case against her. Left with no choice, Placido said she gave the policemen the money, P100,000 of which went to Nosidal. She was eventually released the following day.