2 EDSA ‘hulidap’ cops indicted

MANILA, Philippines - The Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office approved the indictment yesterday of two Quezon City policemen tagged in the P2.1-million “hulidap” along EDSA.

In a six-page resolution, Assistant Prosecutor Michael Henson Dayao found probable cause to indict La Loma police station deputy commander Chief Inspector Joseph de Vera and Police Officer 2 Jonathan Rodriguez of the Quezon City Police District’s public safety battalion for kidnapping for ransom, car theft and robbery in band.

The complainants are employees of a businessman based in Mindanao.

Dayao made the recommendation after inquest proceedings on the complaint by victims Camal Mama and Samanodin Abdul Gagur against the two respondents, who were the first ones captured and charged.

“It cannot be gainsaid that complainants were deprived of their liberty for several hours. Despite the fact that herein respondents and their cohorts have already robbed them of their valuables, said complainants were still taken forcibly, taken from one vehicle to another and detained at the La Loma police station without any valid charges filed against them,” read the resolution.

The prosecutor found the statements of the complainants credible. Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon approved the findings as officer-in-charge of the Mandaluyong prosecutor’s office.

The charges against Senior Inspector Oliver Villanueva, head of the La Loma station’s intelligence and investigation unit; Senior Police Officer 1 Ramil Hachero; Police Officers 2 Mark de Paz, Ebonn Decatoria, Jerome Datinguinoo and Weavin Masa, and the other suspects have been set for preliminary investigation. The first hearing was set on Sept. 22.  

De Vera, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 2001, was tagged as the leader of a 10-man police team who intercepted a white Toyota Fortuner carrying the victims along EDSA on Sept. 1.  

‘Mastermind’ urged to surrender

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Carmelo Valmoria urged Villanueva – whom he identified as the alleged mastermind of the EDSA kidnap-robbery – to surrender.

According to Valmoria, a police team is hot on the trail of Villanueva, a younger brother of Mabini, Batangas Mayor Lino Villanueva, a Liberal Party stalwart and president of the Mayor’s League of the Philippines.

It was not known whether investigators sought the help of Mayor Villanueva for the surrender of his younger brother, also a member of the PNPA Class 2001.

“He should follow the footsteps of his men who surrendered to their superiors to clear their names. He should face the music,” said Valmoria referring to the police official. “His continued evasion of the law is a waste of government’s money.”

Aside from Villanueva, dismissed Inspector Marco Polo Estrera remains at large.

Last Thursday, Masa, Decatoria, De Paz, Datinguinoo and Hachero surrendered to QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

Senior Inspector Allan Emlano, who is absent without leave from the Northern Police District, surrendered earlier.

Emlano is detained at the NCRPO’s regional police holding and accounting unit while De Vera and Rodriguez are being held at the Mandaluyong City police. The five policemen who surrendered are still in QCPD custody. – With Reinir Padua