NBI files criminal complaint vs 10 alleged Rolito Go abductors

PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Heneroso Serbo releases an artist’s sketch of Rolito Go’s abductor at Camp Crame, Monday. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation filed with the Department of Justice (DoJ) a criminal complaint against 10 people allegedly involved in the abduction of convicted killer Rolito Go and his nephew Klemens Yu, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima announced Tuesday.

Facing a complaint for violation of the Revised Penal Code particularly Article 267 or Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention and Article 294 or robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons are  Emilio Ortiz, Lawrence Yurong; a certain “alias Bong;” Fernando Fransisco (also known as Pando); Armando Mondero; Jerry Duenas; a certain “Reggie;” a certain “Kumander Rico;” and the unidentifed minimum security prison trustee of the New Bilibid Prison and Go’s cook.

Ortiz is the alleged mastermind behind Go’s abduction.

Only Mondero and Duenas are under NBI custody. The two manifested their intention to help authorities in the investigation.

Go and Yu disappeared from the NBP last August 14 and appeared two days later.  Go insisted that he did not escape but was abducted.

The DoJ, NBI and the Philippine National Police conducted an investigation.

Records showed that a confidential informant volunteered to give information, including photos on the identities of the suspects responsible for Go’s abduction.

The photos were presented to Go and Yu who both positively identified Mondero, Duenas and Yurong.

In his sworn affidavit, Mondero identified Ortiz as the mastermind of the whole operation and was assisted by alias “Bong,” Yurong, and Fransisco. The three reportedly recruited him and Duenas.

Mondero said Ortiz secured fake NBI identification cards and provided the firearms and the vehicle – a black Ford Everest with an NBI commemorative plate – in perpetrating the abduction.

He added that it was “Bong,” Armando, Mondero, Duenas, and Yurong who went inside and forcibly abducted Go and Yu in the car owned by Go’s nephew.

“Yurong’s contacts [the cook and the trustee] inside the NBP gave them information on Rolito Go’s schedule and whereabouts,” Mondero said.

Go and Yu were brought to San Vicente, Sto. Tomas, Batangas with the assistance of Yurong’s cohorts. — identified as Kumander Rico and a certain Reggie – and were held captive in a hut.

Mondero said Kumander Rico asked Go if he could afford to give the amount of P5 million “because they know that he is the owner of Century Tuna, has a lending business, and was reportedly involved in illegal drugs.”

Mondero said he heard Ortiz, “Bong” and Fransisco negotiating with Rolito Go’s sister Julie Yu when they were at Ortiz’s house in Capitol Subdivision, Caloocan City.

He also said that Yurong and Duenas, who were guarding the victims, together with Reggie and another unidentified male suspect, were also demanding P1 million from the victims.

The NBI said the statement of Mondero corroborated Julie Yu’s narration that there seemed to be two groups calling her through her cellphone and demanding ransom payment for the release of the victims.

The NBI said that the suspects were able to withdraw P60,000 from the Allied Bank ATM account of Yu by withdrawing P20,000 from PNB Calamba at about 11:00 p.m., of Aug. 14, 2012; P20,000 from RCBC Savings Bank at Kapitolyo, Pasig City at about 2:00 a.m. of August 15; and P20,000 at Metrobank Shaw Boulevard, Kapitolyo Pasig at about 2:00 a.m.

Mondero identified the man, whose image was caught on surveillance camera while withdrawing money from Yu’s account, as “Bong.”