QC kidnap suspects convicted

The Department of Justice (DoJ) revealed on Monday its National Prosecution Service (NPS) secured the conviction of five individuals involved in the 2013 kidnapping-for-ransom of two minors along EDSA in Cubao, Quezon City.

In a 21-page decision dated 8 April 2025, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 94 Judge Roslyn M. Rabara-Tria ruled that the DoJ presented sufficient evidence to convict three defendants as principals and two others as accomplices.

Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia I. Laroza-Torrevillas and Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Angelo P. Yanga handled the prosecution.

“This conviction shows that the DoJ prosecution service continues to function effectively, even in complex cases. Our prosecutors remain focused on building strong cases and holding perpetrators accountable,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement.

According to court records, the victims, ages 10 and 15 at the time, were abducted by armed men from a vehicle along EDSA on 5 July 2013.

A nationwide alert issued by their mother helped authorities track down the vehicle in connection with a carnapping case, leading to the suspects’ arrest and the children’s recovery.

No ransom was paid.

The suspects — identified as John Mark Tamalla, Jomel Tamalla and Bernard Pating — were found guilty of kidnapping for ransom and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, while Ma. Theresa Licay and Ma. Andrea Branzuela were convicted as accomplices and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 years and one day to 17 years and four months.

They were also ordered to jointly pay each victim P100,000 in civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages.

The case against Resty Branzuela was dismissed due to his death during the trial. Two other defendants, Rogel Domingo Jr. and Ephraim John Evangelista, remain at large.

“This outcome reinforces the importance of thorough investigation and sustained case build up. The system is working, and accountability is what we strive for,” Remulla said.