5 CDO cops nabbed for kidnapping

NBI Assistant Regional Director Hans Barbaso (left) presents footage from a security camera showing the alleged kidnapping of Enrique Fernandez III. —JIGGER J. JERUSALEM

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — National Bureau of Investigation agents arrested five policemen inside their headquarters here on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a former overseas Filipino worker who has been missing since last month.

Footage from a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera helped the NBI identify Senior Insp. Ereneo Ramirez, head of the crime against persons and property desk of the city police, and his men PO3 Alejandro Ubanan, SPO2 Jojo Lim, SPO1 Alaindelon Tacubao and PO2 Sangkula Hussein.

The NBI said the CCTV recording on Oct. 23 in Barangay Balulang showed how the policemen beat up Enrique Fernandez III, 33, in the street and inside a van before they left. The lawmen also took Fernandez’s motorcycle.

The policemen are detained at the NBI detention cell here. The suspects declined to be interviewed.

Fernandez’s relatives have appealed to other people who may have been victimized by these policemen to come out and file appropriate complaints.

They thanked the NBI for the the arrest but they said they wanted to see Fernandez most of all.

“We are glad that the NBI arrested [these policemen], but we want to see our son,” said the victim’s father, Enrique Jr. “We are not optimistic that he is still alive, but we are hoping to see his body.”

Bebe Estrada, Fernandez’ aunt, said the family received reports that this group of policemen had arrested some people on the basis of false charges and had demanded money for their release.

Felixberto Gonzales, owner of a local trucking company, said the policemen earlier threatened to sue him for theft if he would not give them P150,000.

Gonzales, however, said he would consult with a lawyer before taking any legal step against them.

Several men, who claimed they were earlier arrested for trumped-up charges, also went to the NBI office on Thursday and identified some of the suspects.

Lawyer Hans Barbaso, assistant NBI regional director in Northern Mindanao, said they were probing deeper to establish whether the policemen were acting on their own or were part of a bigger syndicate.

He said the NBI would also look into their possible involvement in the illegal drug trade.

On Thu, 17 Nov 2016 at 7:57 PM Editorial Department <[email protected]> wrote: