Cops tagged in kidnap of slain Batangas mayor’s aide

MANILA, Philippines — The lawyer of a former aide of slain Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili who was kidnapped last week said police officers could be behind the incident.

Businessman Allan Fajardo and his bodyguard Ricky Atienza were snatched by armed men in the restaurant of a hotel in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the ”precision” shown by the kidnappers as seen in surveillance camera footage is proof that the suspects are highly-trained.

“Yan din ang comment ng mga investigators, yung precision,” Topacio said in an interview over dzMM.

Footage showed 11 men alighting from a white van and disarming the security guards before storming the hotel.

The suspects were wearing masks, helmets and bullet-proof vests.

Topacio said the kidnappers could have studied Fajardo’s movement and were aware of the layout of the hotel.

Fajardo’s family and friends have raised P2 million for information on the whereabouts of the victims and their kidnappers.

Philippine National Police spokesman Col. Bernard Banac did not reply when asked to comment on Topacio’s statement.