Ang-See lauds conviction of ex-cops for kidnapping

The Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order-Citizens Action Against Crime (MRPO-CAAC) yesterday lauded the decision of a Quezon City judge for sentencing three Manila Police District (MPD) policemen to a maximum of 40 years in prison for kidnapping.

In a statement, MRPO-CAAC founding chairwoman Teresita Ang-See said Police Officer 1 Papeniano Razos, PO1 Casem Ote, and PO2 Murphy Udin were found guilty of abducting and killing 71-year-old Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Amelia Barretto.

Judge Alexander Balut, of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) Branch 76, imposed the penalty of reclusion perpetua against the three policemen Thursday morning.

Barretto’s son, Eddie, said, “Although we have never recovered our mother, we are happy that four long years after she was kidnapped, her abductors are at last convicted.”

Barretto and her driver, Perry Al Carmen, were kidnapped on July 16, 2003. The suspects reportedly demanded a P5-million ransom. But even after Barretto’s family gave the money, she was never found.

Ang-See said even after the policemen were arrested, people allegedly threatened the Barretto family and told them to drop the case.

“These policemen had other victims but they were too scared to come out to file the case. Fortunately, the Barretto family had the courage to pin down these kidnappers. If not, they would have many more victims,” MRPO-CAAC president William Ho said.