National Capital Region Police Office regional director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar assured prompt action against rogue cops assigned in Makati City, the country’s premier business district.
The assurance was made as the Makati City Police got involved in another controversy, this time one of its men was implicated in kidnap-for-ransom activities involving foreigners.
Police Officer 2 Jaycee Abana, 28, assigned at the Makati City Police Station-Traffic Investigation Unit, was arrested in an entrapment operation following reports that he and his four cohorts victimized two Chinese nationals.
The foreigners were identified as Changbo Fang, temporarily billeted at Yakal Street, San Antonio, Makati City; and his friend Fang Zhang Bao.
The four other suspects were identified as Mohalem Macamundag, 28; Muhamad Macamundag, 34; Mohalil Macamundag, 30; and Wenceslao Sevellejo, 44.
In a press briefing, police presented to mediamen Police Officer 2 Jaycee Abana who is assigned to the Makati Traffic Investigation Unit and allegedly leads a group of kidnappers preying on foreign nationals.
Eleazar said Abana denied the accusation but was caught red-handed extorting money from foreign nationals Chang Bo Fang and Fang Zhang Bao.
The two claim that Abana, along with four others, abducted them and demanded P1 million for their release. The demand was later reduced to P80,000.
Abana was arrested in N. Garcia (formerly Reposo St.) Poblacion, Makati City.
Aside from Abana, also arrested were Mohalem Macapundag, Mohammad Macapundag, Mohalil Macapundag and Wenceslao Sevellejo.
Abana’s arrest follows the relief of four Makati police personnel who were caught on video abusing a naked woman.
The authorities made the entrapment operation after friends of the victims sought police assistance and reported the abduction happened along Nicanor Garcia Street in Barangay Poblacion Thursday afternoon.
Initial investigation disclosed the victims were on board their Lexus IS 300 Sedan traversing along Nicanor Garcia Street around 1:30 pm when a group of five men on board a Mitsubishi Montero told them to stop in front of Jazz Mall.
One of the suspects alighted and at gunpoint held them up taking his wallet and money.
For fear of his life, Bao alighted the car and ran away leaving Fang who was asked to call his relatives. The suspects initially demanded P1 million from the family but they agreed to lower the ransom for P800,000 in exchange for his release.
The family then reported the incident to the police who conducted the entrapment operation resulting in the suspects’ arrest.
Southern Police District chief Tomas Apolinario said cases of kidnap for ransom were being prepared against the suspects.
Apolinario recently ordered the relief of four Makati police officers involved in the controversial video showing the lawmen frisking a naked woman drug suspect inside the police station.
Relieved were Senior Insp. Valmark Funelas, Police Officer 1 Stephanie Limhap, PO1 Heizelle Maramag and PO1 Francis Intia.
Last month, the SPD also sacked two police officers, also assigned in Makati City, for alleged mishandling of persons arrested for violating local ordinances.
They were Senior Insp. Aaron Elago, commander of Makati City – Police Community Precinct – 7, and SPO2 James Teano, desk officer of the same police precinct.
Metro Manila police director Guillermo Eleazar expressed disappointment on the controversies involving his men.
He directed all District Directors, Chief of Offices, Station Commanders and Field Commanders to directly supervise their men and subordinates.
Eleazar also reminded them to always ensure that their personnel are performing accordingly based on its mandated duties and responsibilties. He firmly stated that the “performance of their personnel will reflect on their leadership and so proper guidance is a must.”