Talisay policeman indicted in abduction of OFW

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a police officer allegedly involved in the kidnapping of an overseas Filipino worker in Talisay City three months ago.

Prosecutor Jenelyn Forrosuelo said based on evidence, she found sufficient ground to hold PO2 Lee Colina for trial.

“Wherefore, finding the evidence sufficient to establish probable cause to hold respondent Colina for trial for kidnapping for ransom and carnapping and for respondents Colina and Ronelo Roble for trial for attempted kidnapping for ransom, let the corresponding informations be filed in court,” Forrosuelo said.

While Forrosuelo recommended no bail for the kidnapping case, she sought a bail of P200,000 for carnapping and P120,000 for attempted kidnapping.

In their complaint, overseas worker Rene Boy Agraviador and bakery owner Michael Vergara alleged that while they were having conversation around 9:00 p.m. at the corner of Rabaya and SRP Road on June 16, 2013, two motorcycles suddenly stopped in front of them.

Armed with handguns, the backriders of the two motorcycles approached and frisked them, the complainants said.

Vergara said since their house is located nearby, he called his mother for assistance, which she then responded together with his girlfriend.

Considering the presence of his mother and his girlfriend, Vergara said the accused failed to drag him but took Agraviador and his motorcycle.

On June 17, 2013, Agraviador’s common-law-wife Minerva Laborada went to the National Bureau of Investigation-7 to seek for assistance.

Laborada said her husband’s kidnappers demanded a P50,000 ransom money.

The payoff was made at the Evergreen Cemetery in Barangay San Rafael where a shootout occurred that killed Wane Tiano, one of the alleged kidnappers.

In his counter-affidavit, Colina denied the allegations but admitted that on June 16, barangay tanods of San Roque went to his house and asked for his assistance over an operation against illegal drugs that they would conduct.

He said they then proceeded to the place where the barangay tanods pointed to Vergara and Agraviador as their targets.

Colina said they were able to arrest Agraviador and brought him to SRP.

He, however, said he ordered the barangay tanods to release Agraviador when no illegal drugs were found from his possession.

Colina also denied having knowledge of the ransom.

But Forrosuelo found probable cause to elevate the case before the court.

“Bringing the subject of an alleged illegal activity to a place not appropriate for a conduct of further investigation is not only contrary to human experience but could create a cloud of doubt as well. Being a police officer and sensing that the group of Tiano had any illegal plan by then and refused to immediately release Rene Boy, why did he not report the matter to the proper authorities,” Forrosuelo said.

Along with Colina, Roble was also charged before the court. He is now detained at the Talisay City Jail after he waived his right to undergo preliminary investigation.

The two others remained unidentified.   (FREEMAN)