3 cops arrested for OFW kidnap

Operatives of the Western Police District Police Intelligence Unit (WPD-DPIU) arrested the other night three members of the Northern Police District and their alleged civilian informant for the alleged kidnapping for ransom of a female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Tondo, Manila.

Reports identified those arrested as Police Officer 3 John Daludado, 29, assigned with the Navotas Police Community Precinct 1, of 69-A First Avenue, West Crame, Quezon City; Police Officer 1 Edison Ofilan, 35, assigned with the Northern Police District Mobile Force, of 38 Sto. Domingo St., Quezon City; Senior Police Officer 1 Felipe Santaranila, 53, assigned with the Caloocan City Police, of Block 13, Lot 5, Palmera 1, Novaliches, Quezon City; and alleged civilian informant Quirino Asilo, 30, butcher, of 12-A Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.

Seized from the suspects were two 9 mm. pistols, a .45 caliber pistol, various rounds of ammunition, two police badges, and five handheld ICOM radios.

Investigation showed that the suspects were responsible for the kidnapping of 34-year old overseas contract worker Imelda Fragas last Friday.

Police said that at about 6:30 p.m., the suspects, in civilian clothes, went to the victim’s house at 004 Laurel St., Tondo, Manila, and offered to sell the victim some compact disks.

When the victim said she was not interested in buying any compact disk, the suspects pulled out their guns and dragged the victim to a waiting jeep with plate number PSD-292.

According to reports, the suspects, before leaving, told the victim’s 23-year old brother Niño, to prepare P100,000 for his sister’s release.

The suspects told Niño to proceed to the Sto. Domingo Church compound at 8 p.m. that same day for the payoff.

Niño, however, sought the assistance of the WPD-DPIU who immediately dispatched a team of operatives to arrest the suspects and rescue the victim.

At about 8:15 p.m., Niño and the DPIU team positioned themselves in the churchyard for the payoff. However, the suspects sensed the presence of the operatives and opened fire.

The DPIU operatives were forced to return fire in a brief gun battle which resulted in the safe recovery of the victim and the arrest of the suspects.

Police said Santarinala was wounded in the groin and was rushed to the National Othopedic Hospital for treatment. The other suspects are detained at the WPD Integrated Jail for further investigation and filing of charges.