Five "carnappers" charged in court

CEBU, Philippines - Five suspected members of a local carnapping syndicate were indicted by the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office after finding probable cause to charge them in court.

Assistant city prosecutor Benjo Luther Macion found sufficient evidence to elevate before the court the criminal complaint for carnapping against Nexson Jumao-as, Christian dela Cruz, Ralph Ryan Catulong, Rey Cris Gonzaga and Danilo Capellan.

Macion has recommended P180,000 bail for each of them. They were earlier arrested by the operatives of the Regional Highway Patrol Group in Central Visayas based on the complaint filed by businessman Felix Inopia of sitio Nonoc, Tabunok, Talisay City.

Inopia reported to the HPG headquarters last November 22 after his Suzuki multi-cab was stolen. It was in the police headquarters that Inopia found his vehicle.

Based on the investigation conducted by the HPG the stolen vehicle was offered for sale by Police Officer 2 Arvin Hernandez to the chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory. In fact, the vehicle was already due for payment had it not been recovered by the real owner.

Hernandez claimed it was Jumao-as who asked him to sell the vehicle for P25,000. He said Jumao-as promised to give him a commission.

Hernandez led the HPG operatives to Jumao-as who was subsequently arrested together with the four other accused.

The HPG also included Hernandez in the complaint together with Marione Lambojon and two other unidentified cohorts.

Macion is yet to resolve the complaint against Hernandez and his three other alleged cohorts who remain at large. According to Macion, they will be prosecuted separately as soon as the procedural requirements are complied with.  (FREEMAN)