4 policemen nabbed for abducting foreigners

(UPDATE) A RANKING police officer and three others were arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of four foreigners.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, along with PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, on Wednesday presented the four policemen at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

They were identified as Maj. Christel Carlo Villanueva, SMS Angelito David, SMg. Ricky Tabora, and SSg. Ralph Tumanguil.

SUSPECTS Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, along with Philippine National Police Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, presents the four policemen accused of kidnapping in Camp Crame in Quezon City on June 5, 2024. SCREENGRAB FROM THE PNP WEBSITE

Villanueva is assigned at the Pasay City Police Station, while David is detailed at Motor Cycle Unit, Makati City Police Station. Tumanguil is with PNP-Region 4, and Tabora is assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office.

Marbil said the police officers were linked to the kidnapping of three Chinese and a Malaysian on June 2 in Pasay City.

The Chinese kidnap victims were identified as Meng Zhao, 29; Yang Zhuan Zhuan 30; and Zhi Yi Xuan, 32; and Tan Heng Fei, 25, a Malaysian man.

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An initial police investigation showed that the victims were in a Lexus Sedan (NEC 1768) on Taft Avenue in Pasay City when two of the suspects on a PNP motorcycle accosted the foreigners.

Minutes later, the other two policemen on motorcycle stopped the victims' vehicle, handcuffed the foreigners, and dragged them into a white-silver van.

Two of the victims were able to escape and immediately sought help from barangay officials.

The two other captives were freed on June 3 after reportedly paying a P2,500 ransom.

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On the other hand, Marbil said that a tracker team is hunting down 10 civilians, one of whom is believed to be the leader of the syndicate in connivance with a Chinese, a Malaysian and two Filipinos.