Couple escapes kidnap try in Parañaque

The Parañaque City police apprehended a Cavite-based traffic police officer allegedly involved in the failed kidnap attempt on a businessman and his wife yesterday morning.

Superintendent Ronald Estilles, city police chief, personally fetched 45-year-old SPO1 Antonio Amores, a resident of Silang, Cavite, from the Dasmariñas Traffic Station after confirming that he owned the vehicle used in the kidnap try.

Initial investigation disclosed that couple Julio and Corazon Jaucian, both 56, officers of a forwarding company based near the airport, and residents of Mandaluyong City, were on board their gold Honda Civic (WTL-440) along Ninoy Aquino Avenue when a blue Kia Besta van (WRW-642) hit them from behind.

The couple alighted from their car to check the damage and were then surrounded by three men from the van. The three suspects grabbed the Jaucians and dragged them inside the Civic, but the victims resisted and shouted for help.

The commotion caught the attention of security guards at a nearby building.

The situation became more tense for the suspects when a police car on the opposite lane of the avenue came into view. This prompted the suspects to abort their plans and boarded the Civic to elude arrest.

They tried to escape in the van, but it would not start.

Inspector Glenn Tigson, Parañaque police criminal investigation chief, said the patrol unit, led by PO3 Ramoncito Lipana, failed to apprehend the suspects because they had to circle to the other side of the avenue.

Inside the van, the police recovered a long red rope and black plastic bags. The suspects, he said, might have planned to use these items to tie up the victims and put bags on their heads.

The van, which was covered with dust, was also filthy inside. Tigson said they also found several bottles of mineral water, food wrappers, jackets and several letters. Tigson admitted there is a possibility that the suspects spent the night inside the van.

They also recovered a homemade caliber .38 pistol with ammunition, identification cards belonging to Amores and registration papers signifying that the van belongs to him. One of the victims also identified Rodel Malaso, from the photographs, as one of the kidnappers.

Estilles immediately coordinated with Senior Superintendent Robert Rosales, Cavite provincial director, and effected Amores’ arrest and presented him before Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez.

Amores admitted that he owns the vehicle and for a year hired Malaso as its driver to use it as a colorum van, a private vehicle being used for public transport. He also admitted he leaves his ID intentionally inside the van as protection from getting caught.

Amores denied any knowledge of the kidnapping, saying he was at the police station at the time of the incident.

"I only went with the police so I can clear my name," he said.

3 More Cops Nabbed

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. vowed yesterday to go after policemen engaged in criminal activities following the arrest of three cops for kidnapping.

The PNP chief formally presented to members of the media three cops tagged in the abduction of Amelia Barreto and his driver, Perry Alcarmen last July 19.

Police have yet to establish the whereabouts of the two victims.

Barreto, who owns a piggery, was abducted in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Arrested were PO1 Casem Ote and PO2 Murpy Uddin, both assigned at the Western Police District (WPD), and PO1 Papeniano Razes, of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail against the three suspects, who have been charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Administrative charges have also been filed against the three cops.

The three were arrested in operations from Sept. 8 to 9. Two cellular phones used by the suspects in the negotiations were recovered along with a .9mm pistol and live ammunition.

In Valenzuela, a fugitive from the law serving a sentence for kidnap-for-ransom at the Tagum City Jail in Davao was arrested Tuesday night together with two other armed companions along MacArthur Highway .

Superintendent Jose Marcelo, city police chief, identified the suspects as Romeo Trimidal Merino alias "Ian," 34, a native of Antipolo, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur and residing at 24 St. Jude Street, San Francisco Subdivision, Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City; Felixberto Palangay Justo alias "Alberto," 48, ex-Army soldier, a native of Tandag, Surigao del Sur; and Cristito Trimidal, 23, Romeo’s brother. Found in their possession were a caliber .45 pistol and two caliber .38 revolvers. Romeo was later found out upon verification with the Tagum BJMP that he broke out of the jail at around 12:30 a.m. last Sept. 1. Romeo is wanted for KFR and docketed under criminal case number 11984 as confirmed by Jail Senior Inspector Gil Letran Delima in a faxed report.

Police reports said the local police station received information from Patrol 117 regarding the presence of three armed persons along the MacArthur Highway. The three were acting suspiciously, allegedly casing establishments and persons as possible targets. – With Christina Mendez, Jerry Botial, Pete Laude