Liberal Party bet in Candaba faces criminal case

CANDABA -- A Liberal Party bet here is now facing a criminal case for being the alleged “mastermind” in a kidnap-for-ransom incident in Baliuag, Bulacan last February.

Randy Turla of Barangay Mapanique, who is seeking for an elective position in the Municipal Council under the administration party, has been identified by the authorities as one of the abductors of Emerson Magadia, a trader from Barangay Sapang Putik in San Ildefonso town, who was kidnapped in February 14 of this year.

Reports have it that the victim's family provided Turla and his cohorts P12 million in ransom in exchange for Magadia's liberty.

In his earlier report to Police Regional Office 3 Director Edgardo T. Ladao, Bulacan Police Director Joel Sabio Orduna said the pay-off gave them the chance to monitor the movements of the suspects, which led to their eventual arrest.

Based on the police report, Turla is allegedly a part of a kidnap-for-ransom gang, along with other suspects Azenith Briones, 32, and Richardo Hovilla Jr., 23, both of Barangay Subic in Baliuag Bulacan; Manuel Atencio, 46, of Barangay Pescadores here; Raymond Inano, of Barangay Pala Pala, San Ildefonso in Bulacan; Guilbert Tambot and certain Dencio, alias Jay, of Barangay Mapanique here.

First to be nabbed was Atencio, who was arrested in Barangay Longos in Pulilan, Bulacan after the ransom was released to the group. A follow-up operation conducted in Barangay Subic, Baliwag resulted in the arrest of Briones and Hovilla.

All three have been formally charged before the Office of the Prosecutor following their arrest.

Hovilla and Atencio were positively identified by the victim as his abductors, while Briones was also tagged by the victim as the one who guarded him at the suspects’ safe house.

Recovered from the suspects during their arrest were a .45 caliber pistol, one magazine loaded with five bullets, two sachets of shabu, and personal items belonging to the kidnapped victim, including Oakley shades, HP computer bag, TAG Carrera watch, black pants and car cellphone charger.

Charges of kidnapping for ransom and violation of Republic Act 8294 and the Omnibus Election Code were filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Malolos City, Bulacan against the suspects.