Kidnap raps filed vs Dacer case suspect

Kidnapping charges were filed yesterday by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the alleged policeman-kidnapper of PR man Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Manuel Corbito on Nov. 24 last year.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco turned over to Justice Secretary Hernando Perez the complaint they filed against SPO4 Marino Soberano, a PAOCTF agent who was identified by a witness as one of Dacer’s abductors.

Soberano was identified by towel vendor Willy Cabuguin, 28, as one of the persons who abducted Dacer and Corbito last Nov. 24 at the corner of Zobel Roxas and South Superhighway in Manila.

In his two-page second supplemental affidavit dated March 7, Cabuguin told NBI agent Joffrey dela Merced that Soberano even "grabbed" the neck of Corbito and pushed him into the car before they sped off towards the Buendia flyover.

He added that the descriptions he gave to the NBI cartographic sketch artist was really that of Soberano’s. "Siya rin po ang taong binigay kong sketch sa taga-drawing ng NBI na isa sa mga dumukot kay Dacer.

In its three-page complaint, the NBI also included seven John Does as Cabaguin said that there were eight abductors on board three vehicles – a white car, a white van and a black or red car that blocked Dacer’s white Toyota Revo (WES-294).

Soberano, according to Wycoco, was assigned at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force-Visayas which is based in Cebu City and was under the supervision of Senior Superintendent Teofilo Viña when the crime took place.

If charges are filed in court and he is found guilty, Soberano will be meted a maximum penalty of death since kidnapping is a heinous crime which is included in the Death Penalty Law (RA 7659). – Delon Porcalla and Jose Aravilla