11 cops in NBI kidnap case relieved

The Philippine National Police has vowed to fully cooperate with the National Bureau of Investigation over the kidnapping and other charges it has filed against 11 police officers and four civilians.

The assurance came as the National Capital Region Police Office asked the NBI to provide it case files of the respondent officers so administrative charges may also be filed against them, if so warranted, over the disappearances of at least four cockfighting aficionados.

Metro Manila police chief P/Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said the 11 had been relieved from their respective posts and restricted to quarters.

Those facing charges were identified earlier by the NBI as NCRPO regional drug enforcement chief P/Col. Ryan Orapa,

P/Lt. Jesus Menez; P/Cpls. Alric Natividad, Troy Paragas, Ronald Lanaria, Ronald Montibon, Reynaldo Seno, Ruscel Solomon and Christal Rosita.

Information and charges were also filed against police assets "Nicasio," Nicholes Manio, Angelo Atienza and one identified only as "Boss Mark."

The 11 cops and their four assets were rapped for kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and violation of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act.

On 19 October, the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs filed a complaint against the 11 NCRPO personnel and the four civilians for the disappearance of brothers Gio and Mico Mateo, Ronaldo Anonuevo and Garry Mateo Jr. on 13 April 2021 in Dasmariñas City.

Based on the police pre-operation documents secured by the NBI, the four who disappeared were the targets of an anti-illegal drugs mission of the NCRPO team.

At least two of the four were seen being picked up by men aboard two back cars. Those men, later identified to be police officers and their assets, were seen in closed
-circuit TV footage eating inside a restaurant.

"We respect the courses of action being undertaken by the NBI on this matter so long as it is within the bounds of existing laws, policies, rules, and regulations," Estomo said. "The NCRPO is open and willing to cooperate in any investigation pertaining to this matter."

"Rest assured that we will cooperate and will not condone any form of lawlessness committed by our men regardless of rank and designation should it be established following due investigation by competent authorities," he added.