THE Department of Justice is set to file charges against three members of the Philippine National Police linked in the disappearance of a “sabungero” in San Pablo City, Laguna last year.
Government prosecutors recommended the filing of kidnapping and robbery in band charges against PSSg. Daryl G. Paghangaan, Pat. Roy M. Navarete, and Pat. Rigel S. Brosas.
Cases against Lt. Henry S. Sasaluya and PMSg. Michael J. Claveria were dropped for insufficiency of evidence.
The charges against the respondent-lawmen came after the relatives of cockfighting aficionado Ricardo Lasco sought police assistance over the victim’s disappearance on August 30, 2021.
According to the relatives, respondent-lawmen barged into their house at CG Brion Subdivision, Bgy. San Lucas, San Pablo City, Laguna and arrested Lasco over large scale estafa case.
The complainants said the armed men initially introduced themselves as operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
A complaint for kidnapping was filed against the said armed men with the Office of the City Prosecutor of San Pablo City. However, the complaint was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.
Thereafter, the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Special Investigation Task Group Sabungero (“CIDG SITG Sabungero”) took cognizance of the case and conducted another investigation.
During re-investigation, the relatives were shown with several photographs of lawmen, including the respondents. Among those identified were Paghangan, Navarete and Brosas.
Respondents denied the allegations and claimed that they were in different places during the date and time of the commission of the alleged crimes.
During preliminary investigation, the investigating panel found probable cause to indict the three lawmen for robbery and kidnapping of Lasco.
