DOJ indicts 10 suspects in pharma executive’s kidnap  

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted for kidnapping-for-ransom with murder at least 10 suspects in the disappearance of a chief executive officer of a pharmaceutical company who went missing in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last year.

In a press briefer issued yesterday, the DOJ said Carlo Cadampog, Cesar Cadampog, Adrian Joseph Mendez, Richmel Riel Ignilan, Jomer Vizcarra and Aldrin Antonio were indicted as principal suspects. John Benedict Dumalanta and Victor Ferrer were named accomplices while David Gundran Jr. and Melvin Andes were charged as accessories to the crime.

“After a thorough evaluation, the panel of prosecutors found sufficient evidence to hold the respondents, save for the minor, for trial,” the DOJ said.

The DOJ said Dumalanta, Gundran, Andes, Ferrer and the minor submitted extrajudicial confessions, identifying Carlo Cadampog as the brains in the kidnapping of Eduardo Tolosa Jr., 50.

State prosecutors said they secured evidence against Cadampog based on closed-circuit television footage (CCTV) and testimonies of other witnesses.

Tolosa was reported missing by his nephew on July 21, 2022.

Prior to this, Tolosa had ordered an executive of his pharmaceutical firm to deliver to him over P5 million in US dollars, euros and Singaporean dollars.

Probers said after the cash and an expensive watch were brought to Tolosa in Bonifacio Global City by his aide, the victim could no longer be contacted.

Police later discovered the victim’s sport utility vehicle torched in Sto. Tomas, Batangas and human skeletal remains believed to be that of Tolosa.