MANILA — A Taguig policeman allegedly involved in kidnap-for-ransom activities was killed while three others were arrested in an encounter with fellow policemen early Tuesday.
In a report to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Tomas C. Apolinario Jr. said PO1 Geredo Ancheta was neutralized during the operation at around 3:30 a.m.
Ancheta and the three arrested active policemen — PO1 Bryan Amir Bajoof, PO1 Paolo Ocampo and the leader of the group, PO2 Joey Maru — are assigned at the Police Community Precinct 1 in Western Bicutan, Taguig City.
NCRPO director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar has ordered the immediate relief of all 39 officers of PCP 1 to prevent a cover-up.
Apolinario reported that operatives of the Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) and Special Operation Unit (SOU) conducted the entrapment operation at Tandem Street, Arca South, Western Bicutan, Taguig that resulted in an armed encounter following a complaint of one Ronielyn Caraecle.
Caraecle claimed that four armed men forcibly entered their house at Viscara Street, New Lower Bicutan, Taguig shortly after midnight Tuesday and forcibly took her PHP7,000 in cash, two gold watches, and Louis Vuitton wallets.
She and her boyfriend were then abducted by the armed group and were driven around Arca South, after which, they were asked to cough up PHP50,000 in exchange for their liberty.
The victim’s relative, however, was only able to produce an amount of PHP20,000 and after they handed over the said amount to the said armed group, Ronielyn was released to produce the remaining PHP30,000 while her boyfriend remained in the custody of the group to ensure that she will return.
She then went to the police and an entrapment was made that resulted in the neutralization of the group.
Initial investigation also revealed that this is the second illegal operation of the said group.
The first activity happened at 8:30 p.m. Monday when they entered the residence of victim Moreen del Castillo at MLQ Street, Purok 2, New Lower Bicutan and took her PHP50,000.
Recovered items at the crime scene were four firearms pistol with magazines, two extra magazines, PHP10,600 in cash; one gold watch; three cellphones and illegal drug paraphernalia.
Two sachets of suspected shabu were also recovered from the body of Ancheta.
“While the PNP will do everything within its power to discipline the mulcting, rogue and rascals cops, we also ask the cooperation of the public by providing us with information that could lead to the apprehension and prosecution of those involved in various criminal activities. It is good that the citizens are now reporting the kotong (mulcting) cops and any illegal activities committed by our fellow PNP personnel through Team NCRPO hotlines numbers 0915-888-8181 and 0999-901-8181. This should be further encouraged,” Apolinario said. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
