Navy officer tagged in Palawan kidnap surfaces

A Navy officer implicated in the abduction of two American nationals in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last Friday is now in the custody of his superiors after showing up at their camp in Cavite City, a spokesman said.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said Commander Rodrigo Jaca reported for duty after his leave at the naval base in Cavite City on Monday and expressed his willingness to cooperate in the proceedings of the case that was filed against him by his alleged victims, Marylee Moore and Cynthia Castro-Kramer.

“While he denied the allegations, he expressed willingness to submit himself and be available once summons or a warrant for his arrest has been issued,” he said.

Arevalo said Chief Superintendent Luis Palmera, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) police director, would send a team from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit to get Jaca’s statement.

“Technically he is under restriction because he was told to stay in his quarters,” he said.

Arevalo said the Navy is committed to observe due process so that justice could be served for both Jaca and his accusers.

In a radio interview on Monday, Jaca said Kramer was his live-in partner for nine years and that he was in Palawan to work out a hold departure order against her, who he charged with car theft last Feb. 3.

Moore and Kramer have reportedly sought police custody due to fears for their safety.

Jaca, assigned at the Naval Systems Engineering Center in Cavite City, and a certain Rommel Frias allegedly blocked the vehicle of the victims in Barangay Tagumpay in Puerto Princesa City last Friday and pointed a gun at Kramer.

The handgun reportedly misfired, allowing Kramer to escape.

Pursuing lawmen later rescued Moore and arrested Frias, while Jaca went into hiding for two days before surfacing in Cavite.

– With Non Alquitran