Four cops, including ranking officer, arrested for kidnapping with ransom of four foreigners

Four policemen, including a ranking officer, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of four foreigners.

The four accused were presented by Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Philippine National Police Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, on Wednesday in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The alleged suspects were identified as Police Maj. Christel Carlo Villanueva, Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMG) Angelito David, Police Master Sergeant (PMS) Ricky Tabora, and Police Staff (PSSG) Sergeant Ralph Tumanguil.

Maj. Villanueva is presently assigned at the Pasay City Police Station and PSMG David is detailed at the Motorcycle Unit, Makati City Police Station. PSSG Tumanguil is with PNP-Region 4, and PMSG Tabora, is assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Marbil said the arrested police officers were being linked to the kidnapping of three Chinese and a Malaysian on June 2 in Pasay City.

The Chinese kidnap victims were identified as Meng Zhao, 29; Yang Zhuan Zhuan 30; and Zhi Yi Xuan, 32; and Tan Heng Fei, 25, a Malaysian man.

An initial police investigation showed that the victims were on a Lexus Sedan (NEC 1768) on Taft Avenue in Pasay City when two of the suspects on PNP motorcycle accosted the foreigners.

Minutes later, the other two policemen on motorcycle stopped the victims’ vehicle, handcuffed the foreigners, and dragged them into a white-silver van.

Two of the victims were able to escape from their captors and immediately sought help from barangay officials.

The two other captives were freed on June 3 after reportedly paying ransom.