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Tuesday, July 17, 2007
'Kidnapper-cop' gets 3 slaps from mayor
By Carlo P. Mallo
DAVAO CITY -- Police Officer 2 Keith Michael Froilan Sanz got a "taste" of what Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has been promising law enforcers engaging in illegal undertakings.
Three slaps greeted Sanz when he was presented Monday afternoon to Duterte. Sanz has been identified as a member of the Balbacua kidnap for ransom group.
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"We have gone after the Balbacua kidnap for ransom group down to the last man," the mayor said.
The mayor pointed to Sanz as the one who planned the kidnapping of Flying V gasoline station owner Edgar Barroso.
"These people do not know how it is to work hard, they are enjoying the good life," Duterte said, adding that policemen like Sanz taint the reputation of the whole force.
Duterte said he does not believe that Barroso was their only victim. There could be others who opted just to keep quiet.
"There could have been an immediate pay-off of ransom," Duterte said.
The mayor said he could only hope that no other policeman is involved in a similar criminal activity.
Sanz is luckier, however, as he only got three slaps, at least for the moment.
Another policeman suspected of kidnapping was killed along with three others, including a former Army sergeant, in police operation in Spring Valley Subdivision last July 10. The operation resulted in the rescue of businessman Barroso.
Arrested with Sanz were five other suspects, one of whom is a son of a former policeman.
The four were identified as Wendell Asentista, 35, the son of a retired police officer and resident of Km. 23 in Bunawan; Marvin Booc, 28, of Km. 23 in Bunawan; Angelito Ventura Froilan, 50, a taxi driver and resident of Times Beach in Matina; Petronio Ali Jr., 41, of Tagum City; and one Nilo Benemerito.
Though the suspects have varying roles in the perpetration of the crime, Duterte said all would be charged with kidnapping.
"In kidnapping, the act of one is the act of all," Duterte said.
Duterte lauded the police, National Bureau of Investigation, and other government agencies for the immediate resolution of the kidnapping case.
Davao City Police Director Jaime Morente said it was through the vigilance of the people that they were able to thwart the criminals.
"From the very instance that the kidnapping was immediately reported through 911, we were able to immediately respond," Morente said.
Barroso was dragged from his office at the gasoline station in Sasa on July 8 and forced on his vehicle accompanied by the kidnappers. His personnel at the gasoline station immediately reported the incident to 911 and gave their testimonies to police.
Two days later, on the early evening of July 10, Barroso was rescued from a house in Spring Valley in Buhangin. Four of the alleged kidnappers were killed in the rescue operation.
Of the four, only two were identified: Police Officer 2 Jaime Telebangco, an active member of the Regional Mobile Group-Southern Mindanao, and ex-army Sgt. Jessie Muit. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (July 17, 2007 issue)
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