Cops probe abduction of 6 in Batangas
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Saturday said he has ordered the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) to conduct a thorough investigation into the reported abduction of six persons in Laurel, Batangas on Friday last week.
The top cop likewise assured the families of the kidnapped victims that the police would not stop until they are brought back home and the perpetrators are delivered to justice.
“Inatasan ko na ang Director ng aming Anti-Kidnapping Group na tutukan ang kasong ito, kasama ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamilya at mga kakilala ng mga biktima upang matukoy kung bakit ba nangyari ang insidenteng ito,” said Eleazar.
“Ramdam ko ang pagkabahala ng mga magulang at kaanak ng mga biktima so we assure them that their PNP will do everything in its power to solve this case,” he added.
Eleazar ordered the PNP-AKG headed by Brigadier Gen. Rudolph B. Dimas to coordinate with the victims’ families to determine the possible motive in the reported abduction.
Six persons identified as Mark Nelvin Caraan, Shane Despe, Carlo Fazon, Eugene Noora, Mar Christian Ore and Paulino Sebastian were on their way home to Dasmariñas City, Cavite from a vacation in Lian, Batangas when armed men stopped and forcibly opened their vehicle along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road and took them.
Initial reports said one of the victims was previously investigated for illegal drugs. There were also reports that a cyberweb scam allegedly victimizing foreign nationals and involving some of the victims could have triggered the abduction.
Members of the Batangas Provincial Police Office under Colonel Glicerio C. Cansilao found the victims’ vehicle which was abandoned by the suspects in a forested area in Bgy. Bunggo in Calamba City, Laguna.
Eleazar appealed to anyone who may have information on the incident to immediately report to authorities in order to help in locating the victims.
“Sa ating mga kababayan na may impormasyon sa insidenteng ito, inaanyayahan ko kayo na makipag-tulungan sa inyong kapulisan para sa mabilis na paglutas ng kasong ito,” he said.
