3 LAGUNA COPS LINKED TO KIDNAP SACKED

CAMP BRIG. GEN. VICENTE P. LIM, Calamba, Laguna –Three police officers accused of involvement in the alleged abduction of a 54-year-old man in Los Baños, Laguna were relieved from their posts.

Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon) director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenenth Lucas said the three cops who were assigned at the Calamba City Police Station in Calamba City, Laguna, were placed under the Provincial Headquarters Administrative Holding Center pending investigation.

Lucas directed an in-depth investigation into the alleged involvement of the three policemen in the kidnapping case.

Erwin Magbanua reported to the Los Baños police that his youngest brother, Randy, 54, of Bgy. Lalakay, Laguna and a native of Negros Occidental, has been missing since the afternoon of March 26, 2024.

 Randy was last seen on the National Road of Bgy. Lalakay in Los Baños, Laguna.

Acting on the complaint, authorities conducted investigation and back tracking of CCTV footages along the national highway and the adjacent cities and municipalities.

Investigation revealed that about eight persons in a black Toyota Wigo and a motorcycle snatched the victim.

 The suspects, along with Randy,  fled towards Calamba City direction.

Further investigation resulted in the identification by a witness of two Persons of Interest (POI) as alias “Burda” and  alias “Naredo” while six other POI’s were under investigation for possible proof of identity.

Upon thorough investigation, the Laguna Police Provincial Office found out that the three POIs were police officers  based on the account of a witness and a CCTV footage obtained in the place of incident.

The police officers were later identified as members of the Calamba City Police Station. 

“We are committed to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of truth and justice for the families of the missing persons. Every effort is being made to ascertain the whereabouts and ensure the safety of the missing individual, and those responsible for any wrongdoing will be brought to justice,” Lucas said.

Authorities are also looking into the possibility of involvement of the three police officers  in the case of another missing person in Calamba City Laguna.

Appropriate criminal and administrative charges are being prepared for filing against the accused cops.