Cop nabbed for robbery, abduction

A Las Piñas City policeman and a vendor were arrested yesterday morning for allegedly robbing and abducting a businesswoman and her daughter in Parañaque City.

Police said the suspects, identified as PO3 John Miranda, 54, and Alex Tolentino, 34, robbed the restaurant owned by Nelia Antonio, 54, and Teresita Napari, 35, along Road 5-B street, San Isidro. The suspects were with two other men when they pulled off the heist at around 4:30 a.m. last Feb. 18.

Prober SPO2 Odeo Carino said the suspects, armed with unknown caliber of firearms, forcibly entered the restaurant and carted away a bag containing jewelry and some P200,000 in cash.

The suspects also abducted the victims before abandoning them near Berdant Subdivision.

Antonio and Napari immediately reported the incident to the police. They said that one of the suspects even talked to them and identified himself as Alex Tolentino.

Police conducted follow-up operations and arrested Tolentino, who identified his cohorts as John Miranda, Egay Canimo and a certain Onald. The victims positively identified Tolentino as one of their abductors.

Miranda, who was also positively identified by the victims, was arrested in another follow-up operation. However, the bag containing the cash and valuables has not been recovered.

Charges of robbery and abduction are being readied against Tolentino, Miranda and their cohorts. — Edu Punay