CRIMINAL charges were filed on Monday against five policemen and several “John Does” over the abduction of an e-sabong agent in San Pablo City, Laguna last year.
Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said cases of serious illegal detention, kidnapping and robbery were filed before the Department of Justice against Lt. Henry Sasaluya, MSgt. Michael Claveria, Staff Sgt. Daryl Paghangaan, Pat. Roy Navarete, Pat. Rigel Brosas and several other individuals.
The five cop-suspects were formerly assigned at the Laguna Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Intelligence Branch.
Officials of the PNP-CIDG, joined by some complainants and witnesses, appeared before the DOJ in Manila to file the cases.
PNP-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz said the five policemen were positively identified by the witnesses as the armed men who entered the house of Ricardo Lasco in Bgy. San Lucas 1 in San Pablo City on August 30, 2021.
The suspects identified themselves as “NBI agents” out to arrest Lasco for a large-scale estafa case.
The suspects reportedly stole some P500,000 worth of valuables and personal belongings of the victim and his relatives and cash amounting to P180,000 before taking Lasco.
Lasco, an e-sabong and a real estate agent, has been missing since then.
Authorities are still gathering information to trace and locate the victim.
