Lacson, 17 ex-cops face kidnap raps

MANILA, Philippines - On top of being investigated for his alleged involvement in the killing of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000, Sen. Panfilo Lacson faces yet another criminal complaint at the Department of Justice (DOJ) – this time for the kidnapping of two Chinese nationals in separate incidents over 10 years ago.

In a six-page complaint, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) National Capital Region office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) accused Lacson and at least 17 other former police officers of taking part in the kidnapping of Chong Hiu Ming, 45, and Wong Kam Chong, 44, on Dec. 30, 1998 and March 26, 1999, respectively, when he was still head of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

They were charged with two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.

The first victim was taken while he was in a van shortly after he left the Philippine Plaza Hotel heading for Lai Lai Hotel while the second was abducted outside the gate of Damar Village in Quezon City while in a Mercedes Benz van (URX-928).  

The CIDG said the two remain missing despite efforts of their relatives to locate them with the help of their lawyer, Rodolfo Tablante, and intercession of then consul general Fu Binglian of the People’s Republic of China.

A total of 27 witnesses, including former police informant Mary “Rosebud” Ong and her siblings, told investigators that “despite the payment of huge ransoms the two (victims) were never released to their relatives and are still missing.”

According to the complaint, signed by CIDG-National Capital Region chief Senior Superintendent Robert Po, said the most recent pertinent evidence obtained by authorities was a document of affirmation by Hong Kong Police Senior Superintendent To Hon Ki Bernard, consisting of 43 pages sent officially by courier.

The document, the PNP said, “confirms the fact that the missing nationals were indeed the subjects of cooperation between the PNP (Police Regional Office 4) and the PAOCTF on the one side and the (Hong Kong) Narcotics Bureau on the other.”

Photocopies of the documentary evidence that could prove the missing HK nationals were being monitored by both the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau and the PAOCTF, headed by then chief superintendent Panfilo Lacson and the PNP Narcotics Group led then senior superintendent Reynaldo Acop from October 1998 to July 1999 could not be authenticated in the absence of a Senate-ratified agreement between the Philippines and Hong Kong, the PNP said to explain early glitches in the investigation.

After the Hong Kong-Philippines Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty was passed on Oct. 11, 2007, the PNP received letters from Hong Kong solicitors and notaries of Joseph CT Lee and Co. requesting for reports and result of investigations relative to the disappearance of Wong Kam Chong.

The said requested documents were intended to support the applications for presumptive death of the two men by their respective wives Lau Yuet Queena and Hong Qing Xin.

Aside from Lacson, the CIDG named as respondents Acop, Chief Inspector Avelino Abogado, Senior Inspector Cesar Aquino, lawyer Evaristo Gana, and former senior superintendent Michael Ray Aquino.

Also included in the complaint are Superintendents Francisco Villaroman and Teofilo Andrada; Inspector Dennis Reed Tuvera; SPO3 Mabini Rosale; SPO2 Cresencio Purugganan; SPO2 Antonio Ventura; SPO3 Noel Almerino; and SPO1 Danilo Castro.