Tainted WPD unit dissolved

Western Police District (WPD) director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong has abolished his District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (DCIDU) after its chief, assistant chief and five of their men were linked to the kidnapping and extortion of three Muslim businessmen.

Now facing investigation are Superintendent Renato Muyot, DCIDU commander; Chief Inspector Eufemio Espino, deputy commander; Senior Police Officers 1 Willy Aquino and Maximo Bustamante; and Police Officers 3 Ronald Navarro, Dylan Carel and Wilhelm Castillo.

Muyot and his men are accused of kidnapping businessmen Ancaya Santigan, Salman Abboh and Rushdee Matanor as they were driving out of Pilar Village in Tandang Sora, Quezon City last Dec. 16.

Investigation showed that the Manila policemen stopped the black Mitsubishi Lancer carrying the three businessmen and accused them of being drug couriers who were transporting two kilos of shabu.

After bringing Santigan, Abboh and Matanor to DCIDU headquarters in Manila, Muyot and his men allegedly demanded P10 million from the businessmen so they could be released without any charges being filed against them.

However, the three told Muyot that they could only come up with P300,000 and the police official reportedly agreed to a lower pay-off.

Investigations showed Abboh and Matanor were freed but Muyot kept Santigan locked up until he consented to transfer his car in Muyot’s name.

Muyot was said to have ordered Bustamante and other policemen to escort Santigan to the 888 Car Sales Center along Mercedes Avenue in Pasig City so Sandigan could transfer the car’s ownership to Muyot.

But unknown to Muyot and his men, Sandigan’s kidnapping had already been reported to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

When the policemen arrived at the car dealer, CIDG detectives arrested Bustamante who was in possession of the documents to Santigan’s car.

The other policemen were able to escape.