Cop arrested for kidnapping

A policeman facing a string of criminal cases before various courts has been arrested by the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF) for the alleged kidnapping of a woman last month.

NAKTF chief Secretary Angelo Reyes and Philippine National Police Deputy Director for administration General Edgar Aglipay presented to media yesterday PO3 Julieto Borja, 53, a resident of Sta. Cruz, Manila and assigned with the Kamuning police station.

"Our effort will be relentless. This is in compliance with President Arroyo’s directive to rid the uniformed services, police and the military, of scalawags in uniform," Reyes said.

Borja was held accountable for the alleged kidnapping of one Ronalyn Manatad who was abducted at around 10 a.m. by two unidentified armed men and shoved into a gray Mitsubishi L-300 van (UAW-168) last May 26 near her residence in Barangay Central in Diliman. The vehicle sped toward the direction of Commonwealth Avenue.

An hour after the kidnapping, the victim’s brother, Edwin Silvio, received a call from one of the abductors who demanded P200,000 for the release of the woman. It was at this point that Silvio sought the help of the NAKTF, which immediately set up an operation.

The ransom demand was lowered to P100,000 following a series of negotiations.

NAKTF operatives arrested Borja after he appeared at the designated pay-off area — the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife — some five hours after the kidnapping.

Police seized the P100,000 marked money used for the ransom payment, a 9mm pistol, a cellular phone and the victim’s wallet.

Reyes said Borja and four of his cohorts still at large were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Metro police chief Director Ricardo de Leon initiated yesterday summary dismissal proceedings against the arrested officer.

"Our efforts in eradicating the few unscrupulous elements in our ranks will be thorough and unrelenting. Rogues cops have no place in the police service," De Leon said.

A background information on Borja provided by the NAKTF to media revealed that he is facing a string of other criminal cases, including grave misconduct for giving false testimony in favor of two accused drug pushers with the PNP Internal Affairs Service as well as perjury for being a coddler/protector of two drug offenders with a Quezon City court.

Police records also showed that Borja is facing estafa charges filed by PO2 Elena Maque for not returning a gold ring worth P10,000 in July 2002.

A check with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed that the suspect was last seen with one Levy Remot before the latter was killed on Oct. 17, 2002. He is also facing charges of serious physical injuries through reckless imprudence before a Manila court, assault upon authority, and other criminal charges filed before Quezon City and Manila courts. – With Non Alquitran, Katherine Adraneda