Alleged EDSA ‘hulidap’ brains still in hiding

MANILA, Philippines - Senior Inspector Oliver Villanueva, the alleged mastermind of the EDSA “hulidap,” has yet to surface and his continuous absence could be a ground for his dismissal from the police service, an official of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said yesterday.

Villanueva, who had been axed as head of the La Loma police station’s intelligence and investigation branch, has not reported to work since he was tagged in the alleged kidnapping and highway robbery on Sept. 1, QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano said.

If Villanueva continues to be on AWOL (absent without official leave) for 30 days, he would be dropped from the rolls of the QCPD and dismissal proceedings against him could start, Albano said.

Villanueva and three of his classmates in the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 2001 – Chief Inspector Joseph de Vera, Senior Inspector Alan Emlano and dismissed Inspector Marco Polo Estrera – and six non-commissioned officers were implicated in the heist.

Of the 10 police officers tagged in the incident, only Estrera and Villanueva have not surfaced.

The suspects have been charged with brigandage, kidnapping and serious illegal detention with the Mandaluyong prosecutor’s office. They are also facing administrative sanctions.

Albano noted that involvement in a criminal case, like highway robbery, is a ground for dismissal from the police service.