DAVAO CITY -- Elements of Sasa police in this city arrested Friday four suspected kidnappers who snatched a two-year-old girl on Wednesday.
Now detained are Romnick Blanco, 20, a resident of Land Mark 1 Subdivision, Barangay Sasa; Hera Marie Lacerna, 20, and Christine Angel Pepito, 20, who both reside at Phase 8, Dao Street, Barangay Pampanga; and Dennis Busco, 20, a resident of Phase 4, Purok 15, Barangay Pampanga.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Rene Aspera said the four are now facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention of a minor.
Aspera said the Sasa Police led by Police Superintendent Alden Delvo rescued the child around 11:45 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Parish.
Rollete Ozaraga Yakasashi, mother of abducted Tuki, reported to have last seen her child outside their residence at Landmark 1, Panacan. She reported her daughter's disappearance at Sasa Police around 5:45 p.m. on March 31.
A police operation was immediately launched on Thursday.
Blanco was invited to the police precinct as he was captured in a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) of the Takahashi residence to have last held the child.
Blanco, a relative by affinity and a neighbor of the victim, denied knowledge on the whereabouts of the child and even showed concern for the child, a reason the police released him.
However, Delvo said Sunday that they did not let Blanco off their radar and continued monitoring his moves after releasing him.
"He was considered a primary suspect since then," Delvo said in a telephone interview.
"Hindi lang namin pwedeng maipit agad si Blanco kasi hindi namin alam kung saan ang bata and we don't know kung ano ang gagawin ng mga accomplices. Actually, alam naming papalit-palit siya ng text kung saan nila ibababa ang bata eh. We were awaiting kung saan kay we were able to respond immediately," Delvo said.
The child was rescued at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish after she was brought there by suspected accomplices Lacerna, Pepito, and Busco upon the instructions of Blanco.
Under the inquisition of the police, Lacerna said Blanco brought the child to their house in Asuncio Village, Lanang in this city around 7 p.m. Wednesday because the victim’s family was having problems in their home.
Aspera said that late Friday night, Blanco sent a text message to Lacerna to send the child home aboard a taxicab. Blanco, however, changed his instructions and instead ordered Lacerna to bring the child to St. Joseph Parish and leave her there.
Blanco allegedly told Lacerna that elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will fetch the child from the parish.
Busco, for his part, told the police that he was visiting her girlfriend Lacerna that time and decided to go with her, Pepito, and the child as it was late night.
Upon reaching the church, the three decided to leave the child and saw two men approaching the victim, who later was brought inside the convent.
Aspera said the accomplices thought the two men, who turned out to be workers of the parish, were members of the NBI.
He said the police rescued the child after a priest called Central 911 for help.
Delvo said Lacerna confessed that they have no knowledge of Blanco's intentions.
"Sabi nila hindi nila alam, pero the facts are there to say na they held the child for hours na hindi naman nila kamag-anak yun. We will file charges against them tomorrow (Monday) for illegal detention of a minor. Kung ano man ang maging hatol sa kanila, ang korte na ang magdedesisyon. Wala na sa kamay namin. Ang sa amin lang maibigay namin kung anong facts nakuha namin," Delvo said.
Lacerna, Pepito, and Busco were arrested in the vicinity of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, while Blanco was arrested within the time of the child's rescue.
"He surrendered himself to us but since he is a prime suspect of the crime, then it is not considered as surrendered but arrested. May sinasabi rin siyang accomplice na mataba. We would be investigating on that but we are also considering that he is lying kasi from the first time na kausap pa lang namin siya, ang galing na niyang magsinungaling," Delvo said.
The victim was then turned over to her parents.
Aspera said the child’s mother will file charges against Blanco even if they are relatives "to give lesson and for him not to victimize other people."
It was also revealed that the Takahashi family sought help from Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday morning.
The victim’s family expressed their gratitude to the mayor, as well as to Aspera and Delvo for the safe rescue of their daughter.
Aspera also commended Sasa Police station for the immediate capture of the four suspects. (JCZ/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)