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Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Officers beg forgiveness from kidnap victim
By Joey P. Nacalaban
THE three policemen suspected of kidnapping the sister of a Misamis Oriental congressman asked for forgiveness from the victim saying they still have loved ones to support.
"Please forgive us, we have our families and we have kids," was the collective plea of suspects Police Officer (PO) 3 Sarah Jane Bajo, 33, PO2 Irving Castuera, 33, and Vicente Hallasgo Jr., 34.
The suspects were arrested Saturday for allegedly kidnapping Luz Lagbas Odchimar (instead of Alga as earlier published), sister of Representative Danilo Lagbas.
The 40-year-old complainant said she had an opportunity to talk with the suspects while inside the mini-cell of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
All the three begged her to spare them from suit saying they have still their loved ones who need their support.
But such requests only fell on deaf ears after the suspects were formally brought to the prosecutor's office for inquest proceedings.
The policemen faced their accuser inside the office of Assistant Prosecutor Cesar Merlas.
The suspects were assisted by their lawyer attorney Emmanuel Gaabucayan, while Odchimar was accompanied by her legal counsels Noel Vedad and Roy Salcedo.
It was learned that the complainant has at least eight legal counsels.
During the proceeding, Gaabucayan asked for preliminary hearing and the suspects signed waivers so that they would be under detention while the case is being investigated.
Scolded
Merlas gave the suspects' lawyer 10 days to submit their counter affidavits.
Inside the office, Bajo bursts into tears after learning that she would be detained temporarily inside Maharlika mini-cell.
"Ingon siya (Bajo) delikado daw iyang kinabuhi didto sulod sa Maharlika cell kay duna daw siya gipapreso nga namatay ang papa sa kaguol (Bajo said she is in danger in the cell because she had one person imprisoned there. The person's father died from grief because of the imprisonment)," an NBI agent said.
In an interview, Bajo told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that she is still hoping that truth will prevail. When asked for more details she preferred not to answer but instead scolded this writer for taking pictures of her.
In her sworn affidavit, Odchimar narrated that last Saturday the suspects introduced themselves as policemen and brought her to a beach resort in Bulua.
While at the place, the three then demanded from her P70,000 in exchange for her liberty.
She settled for P50,000 and told the police officer she would get the money from the mother-in-law of her daughter, a certain Emmie Khu, in Sugbongcogon.
Not sanctioned
Together they proceeded to the area for the money. Odchimar said she was able to get the amount from Khu.
But the taxi they were riding was blocked by members of the 1002nd Provincial Police Mobile Group (PPMG) in a check point.
The group then was turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation.
During an initial investigation it was found out that Bajo and Castuera are members of the Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 10 and reside in Maramag, Bukidnon and this city, respectively.
While Hallasgo is an organic member of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) and residing at Villa Angela, Barangay Balulang, also of this city.
In a press statement sent to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, Supt. Rene Orbe, PDEA head, confirmed that the suspects' supposed operation was not sanctioned by his office.
He said what they were doing was illegal as it did not follow the legal process stipulated by the PNP law on drugs.
The suspects, who are now temporarily detained at Maharlika mini-cell, would again be returned to the prosecutor's office on July 18 for a preliminary hearing.
'Hulidap'
Meanwhile, the NBI-10 said it is alarmed about the rising cases of police personnel involved in a modus operandi called "hulidap."
Hulidap, a combination of Filipino and English words huli (apprehend) and hold-up, is done through a fake arrest in which a supposed suspect is nabbed for drug or any other criminal charge. The arresting police personnel would then extort money from the "suspect" for the latter's freedom.
NBI 10 Director Mendez described the involvement of some local law enforcement members to the modus operandi as "very disturbing".
This prompted Mayor Vicente Emano to yet again reiterate his position to return the control of the police to the local government units.
"Angay na gyud ibalik kay aron sayon nato nga magukod kanang mga badlungon nga mga polis (The control [of the police] should be given back [to the LGU's] so that we can easily prosecute erring police officers)," Mayor Emano said.
Emano insisted the three policemen be charged and punished if found guilty.
Director Mendez said he is confident that PDEA 10 Director Rene Orbe and City Police Director Honorio Cervantes will cooperate in the investigation.
Earlier, PO3 Mamintal Masacal of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) was also arrested for kidnapping Muslim trader.
NBI 10 it is making a follow-up on PO3 Masacal's case and is conducting investigation on the possible involvement of a police official. (With a report from Sun.Star Superbalita)
(July 5, 2005 issue)
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