THE City Prosecutor's Office formally charged five men accused of robbing and killing their kidnap victim in Tibungco, Davao City last week.

Charged with robbery with homicide for the death of Jonathan Bacus Wee Eng and carnapping were Roberto Alicaba, Rodolfo Dimput Pinuela Sr., Rodrigo Sacurom Libres, Ulisis Hernando Suico, and Peter Alicaba Bonghanoy.

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Prosecutor Leo Madrazo found probable cause to hold them for court trial based on the accounts of the victim's siblings Sitti Karen Matalam Bartolo, 24, and Jazer Bacus Matalam, both residents of Notre Dame Avenue, purok Katahimikan in Cotabato city.

In an affidavit, the witnesses said that on May 26, they learned that their brother was kidnapped.

They said when they tried to contact their brother, they received a reply asking who they are. Sitti identified herself and received a reply asking for P3,000 because their brother was sick.

They claimed that on May 28, they sent the money through M. Lhuillier to a certain Constantino Soner of Tagum City.

They said that after a few days, they received a call from the kidnappers asking for P500,000 as ransom for their brother's release.

The witnesses also said that a certain Tatang, Tagalog, and an Ex-army also called them to demand ransom.

They then reported the incident to the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (Pacer) on June 1.

Sitti and Karen requested for a proof of life of their brother and were told that the victim was in a mountain and cannot be contacted.

They said that after two days, the police told them that their brother was already recovered somewhere in Tibungco and advised to go to Rivera Funeral Homes in Lasang.

The police said they have arrested the suspects and were led to the area where the body of Jonathan was found.

No bail was recommended for each of the respondents' temporary liberty.