3 Laguna cops charged with unlawful arrest

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Philippines – The prosecutor’s office in this city has approved the filing of charges against three police officers in connection with the alleged kidnapping of four men, including a tricycle driver, at a commercial center here last March 24, police said yesterday.

A complaint for unlawful arrest, not kidnapping, will be filed against PO3 Diogenes Suarez, PO2 Obed Anonuevo and PO1 Roberto Manalo, all members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Quezon City Police District, according to a two-page resolution obtained by The STAR.

PO3 Ernesto Mendoza, lead investigator, said the three policemen were released after posting bail.

Investigation showed that one of the policemen who were all wearing civilian clothes, first took Richard Magtibay, a tricycle driver at around 5:30 p.m. and handcuffed him inside a white Toyota Altis (XGH-120).

The three other victims, identified only as Lito Kalaw, Hernandez and alias Toto, were taken after several minutes.

The mall’s security guards, who noticed the commotion when the three men were for-cibly taken, reported the incident to the police.