More charges vs alleged cult leader

CEBU, Philippines -  The National Bureau of Investigation-7 yesterday filed three more complaints before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the alleged leader of a religious cult in Balamban town.

Supervising agent Rey Villordon together with the representatives of the Provincial Women’s Commission filed the complaints for murder and child abuse against Casiano Legaspino Apduhan alias Tatay Boy.

Apduhan’s driver, Victor Fajardo, and follower Zacarias Barquio are also indicted in the charges.

Villordon said that evidence the NBI gathered point to the three men’s alleged participation in the killing of 15-year old Angelo Repuela. The boy’s body was buried down a 30-foot tunnel under Apduhan’s house in Sitio Laray III, Barangay Buanoy, Balamban.

Aside from the murder and child abuse charges, Apduhan was also charged for violating the expanded anti-trafficking in person law over allegations of forced labor based on the affidavits Angelo’s parents Eleuterio and Remegia.

Last week, NBI-7 personnel and elements of the Special Weapons and Tactics implemented a search warrant primarily to rescue a 33-year-old woman allegedly detained at Apduhan’s house for five years. During that time, they found the remains of the boy in the tunnel.

The authorities seized four padlocks, one doorknob, a handcuff, two fake caliber .38 revolvers, a vehicle and various identification cards during the search. They also rescued the woman, identified as Emma, and the remains of the boy.

Apduhan opted not to comment on the complaints against him.

Earlier, the NBI filed a case for serious illegal detention against Apduhan and Fajardo for allegedly detaining Emma for five years. Another complaint for illegal possession of firearms was filed against Apduhan.

Apduhan and Fajardo are now detained at the NBI stockade.  (FREEMAN)