Suspect calls set-up as ‘kidnap me’

ONE of the four suspects tagged in kidnapping a businessman’s son told police that the whole set-up was a “kidnap me.”

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), its special units, the Anti-Kidnapping Group and other law enforcers, arrested on Tuesday the suspects namely: Bryan Abrogar, 31, a resident of Zone 2 Barangay Bayabas; Alvie Caharian, 26, and his 17-year-old brother, name withheld, both residents of Capisnon in Barangay Kauswagan, while a certain Carlo Royo, a resident of Barangay Bonbon, is still at large.

Police said the victim Joseph Ruben Go, 22, is a son of Dr. Ruben Go, owner of Cagayan de Oro Polymedic General Hospital and Polymedic Medical Plaza.

CAGAYAN DE ORO. The three suspects tagged in the kidnapping of Joseph Ruben Go were submitted for inquest at the fiscal’s office Wednesday, but the three said the whole set-up was a “kidnap me.” (Joey Nacalaban)

Abrogar told police that the whole set-up was a “kidnap me,” saying Royo and Go are friends. “Nag-uban daw na silang duha nag-lodge, so sila ra ang nagsabot ana. Kidnap me ra na, nadamay lang mi,” he added.

The three suspects strongly denied any participation in the alleged kidnapping, police said.

They said Royo just asked them “to pick up something being thrown from a vehicle” and were given P5,000 each.

“Ang among participation mao ra gyud ang pagkuha sa putos nga gitagak gikan sa sakyanan. Wala gani mi kabalo unsay sulod adto. Wala pud mi kabalo nga naay gi-kidnap,” they told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Abrogar admitted he was the one who got the services of the Caharian brothers after Royo contacted him for the “agreement.”

Acting Cocpo Director Antonio Montalba said they confiscated P2,000 cash from the possession of the Caharian brothers, which he claimed is allegedly part of the ransom money that the suspects received.

Police also arrested Abrogar’s father, Villamor, and Engr. Bernardino Salvosa, of Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Northern Mindanao (MGB-10), who were inside the house of the Abrogars when authorities swooped down on the suspect.

Police Superintendent Salvador Radam, chief of the Cocpo’s City Intelligence Branch (CIB), said Go was reported missing last December 28, 2012. He said Go was allegedly kidnapped in front of a bank located along Velez-Pacana Sts.

Police said in December 29, the suspects allegedly demanded P10 million from the victim’s family, however, after negotiations, the ransom money was lowered to P7 million and later to P300,000.

Police said the victim’s family paid the ransom in “installment basis” in December 31.

“The first payoff was made on December 31, around 1:45 p.m. at NHA Kauswagan, while the second payoff was at 7 p.m. on the same day at Barangay Bayabas. Sa dalan ra nagbinayranay,” Radam told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Montalba said they would not yet consider the possibility of “kidnap me” as of the moment.

He said they have to file first the kidnapping for ransom charges so as not to ruin the case. The charges were filed Wednesday.

“Naa ra sa mga respondents kung mag-file silag motion for re-investigation, basta kami mag-file na og kidnapping for ransom,” Montalba said.

Police also filed charges for obstruction of justice against Abrogar’s father and Salvosa.

All five are now detained at the Maharlika Headquarters in Barangay Carmen. (Annabelle L. Ricalde, Terry Betonio and Joey Nacalaban)