3 EDSA ‘hulidap’ cops now in NBI custody?

MANILA, Philippines - Three of the EDSA “hulidap” policemen tagged in the murder of an alleged kidnap gang leader in Laguna are under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Senior Inspector Marco Polo Estrera, Police Officer 2 Jerome Datinguinoo and PO2 Mark de Paz are undergoing tactical interrogation by NBI agents on their alleged role in the killing of Rolando Fajardo in an ambush in Calamba City last June, a source told The STAR.

Estrera was arrested in Southern Tagalog. Datinguinoo and De Paz surrendered to the NBI to clear their names in Fajardo’s slay.

The family and relatives of Fajardo earlier offered a P3-million reward for the arrest of the three police officers.

National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said he did not know that the policemen were under NBI custody.

“I will coordinate with the NBI to check the reports,” Pagdilao said.

Judge Carlos Valenzuela of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 213 has issued a warrant for the arrest of the suspects.

The three police officers were charged with car theft, kidnapping and robbery in band along with Senior Inspector Oliver Villanueva, SPO1 Ramil Hachero, PO2 Eronn Decatoria, PO2 Weavin Masa, Chief Inspector Joseph de Vera, Senior Inspector Allan Emiliano and PO2 Jonathan Rodriguez for the P2.1-million robbery along EDSA in September last year.

De Vera, Emiliano and Rodriguez pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Aug. 5.