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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider NBI files charges vs 4 PDEG cops for kidnapping, torture of couple in Cebu

NBI files charges vs 4 PDEG cops for kidnapping, torture of couple in Cebu

Published May 9, 2023 01:24 pm
CEBU CITY – Criminal charges were filed against four policemen from the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) for allegedly kidnapping and torturing two persons whom they accused of being involved in illegal drug activities. The alleged abuse happened last March in Minglanilla town, southern Cebu. The complainants had sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7). After investigating the complaint, the NBI-7 filed charges against the PDEG personnel before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on Friday, May 5. Charges filed were violation of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code or Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention with torture and grave misconduct or violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Named respondents were Police Staff Sgts. Rey David Aumentado, Rex Forrosuelo, Marjun Milar, and  Jemechiel Gemang and two other unidentified persons.
NBI-7 agent Greg Algoso Jr. said the alleged abuse happened when the four policemen and two unidentified persons apprehended Randolph Restauro, 30, a chef from Talisay City, and his live-in partner Gemalen Elorde, 26, around 1 a.m. on March 26. The couple was aboard a motorcycle traversing a highway when two men aboard another motorcycle blocked their path. A Toyota Innova also stopped in front of the couple’s motorcycle. Two men alighted from the Innova and forced the couple to board the car. The car then proceeded to Cebu City. The couple alleged that while they were heading to Cebu City, a man sitting on the front seat allegedly started hitting Restauro and forced him to surrender the illegal drugs that he was supposedly keeping. The two were later blindfolded with masking tape. Elorde told the NBI-7 that she was able to see the faces of the persons inside the vehicle as her blindfold was not that tight. The couple said they were brought inside an office in Cebu City and were mauled while being forced to admit that they were keeping illegal drugs. The couple told the NBI-7 when the persons that abducted them did not get any contraband from them, they were brought back to Minglanilla. The NBI-7 said they were able to secure footage corroborating the couple’s accounts where and what time they were abducted. The NBI-7 was also able to identify the four persons who abducted the couple during the course of the investigation. The couple was only able to identify the four persons inside the Innova as the two men who blocked their paths wore helmets and rode a motorcycle on their way to Cebu City. Sought for comment, Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7), said he was informed that the six policemen have been relieved from their posts pending investigation. The PDEG-Special Operation Unit is located inside Camp Sergio Osmena Sr. headquarters but is not under the PRO-7. Pelare reminded all policemen in the region that operations should always be within the bounds of law. "Our operations must always be done within the policies of the PNP," Pelare said. "We will not tolerate incidents like this. We in the PNP will also conduct a fair and thorough investigation. If they are found guilty, we will not hesitate to impose the appropriate penalty."

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