Kidnap-murder case closed

THE Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 27 sentenced to 120 years in prison 12 police officers who were accused of kidnapping and murdering three victims in August 2, 2003.

After eight years of waiting, the family of former Pahanocoy barangay captain Eleuterio Salabas, maritime instructor Ricardo Suganob and Maximo Lomoljo, finally achieved justice.

However, only three of the 12 accused policemen were apprehended: Chief Inspectors Clarence Dongail, Jimmy Fortaleza and Senior Police Officer 2 Freddie Natividad.

Twelve other civilians were also accused.

Elizabeth Orola Salabas, Eleuterio's widow, said she believes that not only their family attained justice but also the other victims of the policemen who were convicted.

Others accused in the kidnap-murder case include retired Senior Superintendent Vicente Ponteras, then Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office director; retired Superintendent George Bajelot, then Bacolod City Police Office director; Chief Inspector Bonifer Gota; former Senior Inspector Jonathan Lorilla; Police Officer 2 Allen Winston Hulleza; Senior Police Officer 1 Nelson Grijaldo; Policemen Dennis Belandres and Ruel Villacanas; Police Officer 1 Bernard Cimatu, and civilians Manolo Escalante, Ramonito Estanislao, Ronnie Herrera, July de la Rosa, Carlo de los Santos, Mamerto Caneta, Elma Cañete, Nelson Cañete, Jude Montilla, Richard Salazar and seven other John Does.