PNP-CIDG files kidnapping-slay case vs 4 HPG agents
THE Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Wednesday said it has filed a string of criminal charges against four members of the Laguna PNP Highway Patrol Group and three civilians accused of involvement in a kidnapping-slay case in Quezon province on December 30 last year.
PNP-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz identified those charged before the Tayabas City Prosecutor’s Office as Lt. Emerson Custodio, Police Chief Master Sergeant Lian Manalo, Staff Sgt. Carlito Jimeno and Cpl. Alfie Reyes and civilians Ranilex Mendoza alias “Abong Ramirez Mendoza,” William Bawalan Dagotdot Jr. ; and one Jane Doe.
The accused are facing charges for kidnapping and homicide, kidnapping with serious illegal detention, violation of Republic Act10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, Presidential Decree 1829 or obstruction of justice and RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
The four are also facing administrative charges for grave misconduct.
According to Cruz, the CIDG Quezon Provincial Field Unit filed the cases against the suspects following a lengthy investigation they conducted, with the support of the PNP Highway Patrol Group, and other local PNP units.
The investigation was launched after the body of 29-year-old businessman Rodrigo Dueña II was discovered in Sitio Dos, Bgy. Ibabang Bukal in Tayabas City around 7 a.m. last December 30. The victim’s companion, 33-year- old car sales agent Jaime Faramil remains missing.
Cruz said that his men filed the criminal charges after weeks of investigation, which showed them interviewing witnesses, reviewing all available CCTV recordings vital to the probe, and conducting social media and online exploitation.
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group also obtained a Warrant to Disclose Computer Data, which was also cited as a major factor in uncovering leads vital to the case.
Cruz said that that armed with a court order, CIDG investigators, assisted by the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 4-A, and the Laguna Highway Patrol Team last February 4 searched the Laguna HPG Impounding Area near Mayapa Exit in Bgy. Paciano Rizal in Calamba City.
Following the incident, PNP-HPG director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered the administrative relief of all officers and men of the Laguna PHPT. He also immediately placed the accused HPG men under restrictive custody.
CIDG Quezon chief Lt. Col. Ariel Huesca said the accused were found to be involved in the abduction-slay case. With Blessie Amor Vicente and Joanne Rosario
