Cop killed, 39 relieved over kidnap-extort

“I ordered relief of the entire PCP 1 personnel and they will be transferred to the regional headquarters support group.

National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday ordered the relief of all 39 police officers comprising the entire Police Community Precinct 1 (PCP 1) in Western Bicutan following the death of one cop and the arrest of three others suspected of involvement in kidnap-extortion schemes.

According to a police spot report a certain, PO1 Gererdo Ancheta was killed in a shootout during the entrapment operation yesterday morning initiated by the Taguig City Police.

The alleged leader of the group, identified as PO2 Joey Maru, was also arrested with PO1 Bryan Amir Bajoof and PO1 Paolo Ocampo in the same joint operation by Taguig’s Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) and Special Operations Unit. All three officers are assigned at PCP 1.

“I ordered relief of the entire PCP 1 personnel and they will be transferred to the regional headquarters support group in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. In the meantime, we will assign new personnel at PCP 1,” said Eleazar.

Eleazar said authorities would dig deeper to find out if other police officers are involved in the illegal activity of Maru’s group. He also urged the public to immediately report any wrongdoing of those in the police force.

Initial reports said the suspects entered the residence of a certain Ronielyn Caraecle in New Lower Bicutan, Taguig, half-past midnight and carted away P7,000 in cash, two gold watches and branded wallets.

Caraecle and her boyfriend Samuel were then abducted and driven around ARCA South while the suspects demanded P50,000 for their freedom.

She was released only after her family gave the suspects an initial amount of P20,000 with the promise to produce the remaining P30,000. However, the suspects detained her boyfriend until they receive the full payment.

But unknown to the kidnappers, Caraecle went to a police station to report the crime.

Upon receipt of the information, Taguig City Police head Chief Supt. Alexander Santos ordered the entrapment operations that led to the shootout with the suspects and the arrest of the three cops.

Investigators said the same group of rogue police officers forcibly entered the home of one Moreen del Castillo at Purok 2, New Lower Bicutan, the previous night and took P50,000 from her. Del Castillo identified the three arrested suspects as among those who robbed her.

Recovered from Ancheta were two sachets of shabu while the rest of the group yielded illegal drug paraphernalia, three cellphones, one branded watch, P10,600 in cash, four FAS pistols with magazines as well as two extra magazines of ammunition.

All suspects will face criminal charges for robbery-holdup and kidnap for ransom.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines urged the PNP to cleanse its entire organization and get rid of “hoodlums in uniforms” as the labor organization cited the recent involvement of policemen in assassinations, kidnap for ransom activities and other crimes.

In a statement, TUCP president Raymond Mendoza expressed grave concern over the failed assassination Monday morning on labor leader and TUCP vice president Jessielou Cadungod in Tejero, Cebu City.

Mendoza noted the gunman killed during the attempt to assassinate Cadungog was identified as PO2 Eugene Alcain Calumba while his alleged accomplice who was taken into custody as PO2 Michael Banua.

He also condemned the violent breakup of the picket of NutriAsia laborers outside a factory in Meycauayan, Bulacan on Monday to air their grievance against the management.

“Who will protect us now against lawlessness and breakdown of the rule of law now that the policemen themselves who are supposed to protect the people are the ones who are killing and hurting us?” Mendoza said.