4 San Juan cops charged with robbery, kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines - Four members of the San Juan police have been charged with robbery in band and kidnapping before the city prosecutor’s office for allegedly extorting money from a man and his partner last year.

Charged were Senior Police Officer 3 Rodel Tuano, Senior Police Officers 2 Joel Macabasag and Ronald Rioja and Police Officer 1 Hadji Zaulda.

Deputy city prosecutor Ireneo Quintano recommended no bail for the kidnapping case while P100,000 bail was set for the robbery in band charges against the four accused.

The case was raffled off to San Juan Regional Trial Court Branch 264, presided by Judge Leoncio Janolo.

The case stemmed from the complaints of Janifer Yuag and her partner, Vincent Ravara, who claimed that in December last year, the police officers barged into his house in Barangay Kabayanan and took some of his personal belongings amounting to almost P50,000.

In his complaint, Ravara said the police officers took him to Barangay Tibagan, where they allegedly asked Yuag over the phone to produce P200,000 for his release.

Ravara said Yuag managed to raise only P40,000. He said the accused released him after receiving the amount.

The police officers denied the charges and claimed that the case investigator, Police Officer 3 Dennis Ramos, holds a grudge against them.