Kidnap-murder raps filed vs 4 SPD cops, informer

CALAMBA CITY — Kidnapping with murder charges have been filed against four Southern Police District (SPD) policemen and a civilian informer who were caught while they were about to dump the body of a victim of summary execution here three days ago.

This, as the "salvaging" victim was identified as 33-year-old Gilbert Garcia, a resident of Sta. Ana, Manila, by his father Santiago who claimed his remains from the Senerez funeral parlor here Friday night.

Charged were PO2 Cenon Carolina, a member of the Makati City police; PO2 Marcelino Taduyo and PO1s Reynaldo Saronel and Ramil Marqueta, all of the Pasay City police; and Carolina’s elder brother Pablito, a police informer.

The group was apprehended in an isolated road in Calamba Hills in Barangay Baradas at about 12:05 a.m. Friday while they were about to dispose of Garcia’s body which was found inside their L-300 van.

Garcia was handcuffed and a nylon cord was looped around his neck.

Investigators said the four SPD policemen allegedly wanted to get back at Garcia whom they suspected of fatally stabbing their colleague PO1 Jesse Tatel, of the Pasay City police, a few years ago.

The elder Garcia said his son was last seen alive last July 27.

While he said he believes that his son was involved in robberies, he said law enforcers must not resort to summary execution and should instead arrest and file charges against suspected criminals.

Meanwhile, another "salvaging" victim, whose body was found two days earlier in the same area where the four policemen were arrested, was identified as Rolando Gibson, 28, a construction worker.

Gibson’s wife Sheryl, who identified his remains, tagged Carolina as one of two men who allegedly abducted her husband in Makati City last July 27 while he was on his way home to Silang, Cavite.

Carolina denied the allegation, saying she was just riding on the case against them.