3 cops tagged in trader’s abduction

Two Camp Crame-based policemen and an officer from Manila are now in hot water for allegedly abducting and robbing a Muslim businessman in Quiapo yesterday morning.

Now the subject of a probe are Police Officer 2 Leonardo Lopez of the Sta. Mesa Police Station; Police Officer 2 Lutgardo Ramirez, of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; and Police Officer 3 Robinson de los Reyes, of the Philippine National Police Custodial Service.

The Western Police District’s General Assignment Section identified the victim as Quirimal Pukunum, 29, of Davao City and a resident of Tandang Sora, Quezon City. He was waiting for a taxi along Echague street in Quiapo at about 6:45 a.m, when the suspects, aboard a maroon Toyota Corolla with plate number TGU-357, suddenly appeared.

The victim said he was forced at gunpoint by the suspects to get inside their vehicle.

Pukunum told police that he was then blindfolded with a face towel and was driven around for several hours.

The victim said he was accused by the suspects of being a drug pusher. The suspects later took his wallet containing P80,000 and his Nokia 3310 cell phone.

The suspects continued driving until they reached they reached the corner of J.P. Rizal and Olympia Streets in Makati City at about 10:20 a.m.

Pukunum said the suspects’ car was flagged down by a Police Officer 2 Gonzalo Agnam, who was aboard a prowl car with other Makati police officers.

The victim said he seized the opportunity and shouted that he was being robbed. The suspects were then taken to the Sta. Mesa Police Station.

At the police station, the suspects claimed that they were involved in a legitimate anti-drug operation when they arrested the victim for possession of shabu.

However, they reportedly failed to produce the shabu they allegedly seized from Pukunum. – Mike Frialde, Marvin Sy