3 suspects charged over Leyte ex-vice mayor, son kidnap-slay
TACLOBAN CITY – Police have filed criminal charges against three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and killing of former Abuyog, Leyte Vice Mayor James Bohol and his son, Carlo James.
Police Brig. Gen Jason Capoy, Police Regional Office-8 (Eastern Visayas) director, said in a statement that charges for kidnapping with two counts of homicide were filed through inquest proceedings before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Abuyog on Thursday.
The suspects, identified only by their aliases Kim, Reniel, and Mark, are currently detained at the custodial facility of the municipal police station in Mayorga, Leyte, where the victims were abducted on June 27.
PRO-8 said the three were arrested in Pasay City on June 30 through a joint law enforcement operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group, PRO-8, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group following intelligence gathering, case build-up, and inter-agency coordination.
Capoy said the filing of charges marks a major development in the case involving the abduction and killing of the two businessmen.
"The filing of charges marks a significant step toward justice for the victims. We will continue to pursue all those responsible and ensure they are held accountable under the law," he said.
The bodies of the former vice mayor and his son were discovered in a ravine in Barangay Imelda, Silago, Southern Leyte on June 30, a few days after they were reported missing on June 27.
The PNP said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday night that the possible motive behind the crime was debt, as one of the suspects owed Bohol an unspecified amount of money. (PNA)