Candaba residents doubt trader's hand in kidnapping

CANDABA -- Residents and barangay officials in Mapanique here doubted the alleged involvement of businessman Randy Turla in a kidnapping incident in nearby Baliuag Bulacan.

Turla, a Liberal Party bet, is now facing a criminal case for being the alleged “mastermind” in the incident

"Hindi po kami naniniwala na magagawa yun ni Randy. Kababata ko po iyan, isa siyang mabuting tao. Marami siya natutulungan tao dito sa barangay," Enrico Catacutan, Mapanique barangay chief said.

Catacutan added it is hard to believe that Turla would engage into an illegal activity knowing that he is doing good in his business and has enough properties.

"Negosyante po siya. May ari siya ng gasolinahan at mayroon siyang mga negosyo at mga ari-arian," he said.

Another resident here claimed Turla has been regularly helping indigent individuals in the locality.

"Baka po siniraan lamang siya ng kanyang mga kalaban," a resident here who requested not to be named told Sun.Star Pampanga.

It can be recalled that Emerson Magadia, a trader was kidnapped sometime February 14 this year allegedly by the group of Turla.

Based on the police report, Turla is allegedly a member of kidnap-for-ransom gang along with Azenith Briones, 32, Richardo Hovilla Jr., 23, Manuel Atencio, 46, of Barangay Pescadores here, Raymond Inano, Guilbert Tambot and certain Dencio.

Briones, Hovilla, Atencio were formally charged before the office of the prosecutor following their arrest by the Bulacan police in two separate operations conducted in Barangay Sapang Putik and Barangay Subic.

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.

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. (Sun.Star Pampanga)