Four Philippine policemen charged with kidnapping

MANILA - Four policemen in the Philippines will be charged in a kidnapping-for-ransom of two people, officials said.

Criminal and administrative charges will be filed against police officers Roger Bacanto, Celedonio Tipon, Jay Jay Vallente and Venancio Jayoma Jr., all from the Caloocan City police station, Xinhua quoted National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Nicanor Bartolome as saying Friday.

The officers allegedly kidnapped Julie Ann Espejon, 17, and Jemma Pelagio, 42, Dec 9.

Initial investigation revealed that Bacanto, Tipon and Valiente barged into the home of Veronica Espejon in Caloocan City at about 11.00 p.m. and introduced themselves as members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

They then confiscated a desktop computer of Espejon, alleging that it was being used for cyber sex. The policemen then took Espejon’s daughter, Julie Ann, and a visitor, Pelagio, and sped off on a van.

Espejon immediately reported the incident to the Bagong Silang Police Precinct after the suspects demanded 100,000 pesos ($3,000) for her daughter’s release.

Bacanto was arrested after receiving an initial pay-off of 10,000 pesos in an operation by the Caloocan Police Station. Tipon, Vallente and Jayoma, who are still at large, managed to flee with the money.

Irked by the illicit activities of the policemen, Bartolome ordered a manhunt against the erring members.

The two kidnapped people were freed at around 5.30 a.m. Friday.