Kidnap suspect surrenders to prelate

THE other suspect tagged in the kidnapping of a businessman’s son surrendered Thursday morning to Msgr. Elmer Abacahin, parish priest of Holy Cross in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

Carlo Royo, 21, a resident of Barangay Bonbon in Cagayan de Oro, said he decided to surrender to “clear” his alleged involvement in the controversial kidnapping of Joseph Ruben Go last December 28, 2012.

Royo’s alleged accomplices identified as Bryan Abrogar, 31, a resident of Barangay Bayabas; Alvie Caharian, 26, and his 17-year-old brother, both residents of Capisnon, Barangay Kauswagan, were arrested last January 1.

During an investigation, Royo denied his participation in the kidnapping.

He said it was Go who requested him to get the “money” from her mother “being dropped from a vehicle.”

Royo said he and Go are close friends.

“He is also close to my family. Because of this closeness, I just followed his instruction through text,” he told police. He said Go did not even told him about the real situation.

After they got the money, Royo said he just stayed at their house in Barangay Bonbon until news broke out and his name was mentioned as one of suspects.

He said it was his parents who called up Msgr. Abacahin and arranged for his surrender in Alubijid town. Abacahin later brought Royo to Mayor Vicente Emano.

Police said Go, son of businessman Dr. Ruben Go who owns Cagayan de Oro Polymedic General Hospital and Polymedic Medical Plaza, was reported missing last December 28, 2012.

Police Superintendent Salvador Radam, chief of the Cocpo’s City Intelligence Branch (CIB), earlier said Go was allegedly kidnapped in front of a bank located along Velez-Pacana Sts. But the three suspects who were earlier arrested denied their participation in the alleged kidnapping.