5 QC lawmen tagged in failed kidnap try

MANILA, Philippines - An Indian national has identified the chief of the anti-drug unit of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and four of his men as among the armed men who allegedly tried to kidnap him in Pasay City on Dec. 20, 2010.

James Khumar, president of the Khalsadiwan Indian Sect Temple along United Nations Avenue, Manila picked out Chief Inspector Edwin Faycho and four of his men from file photos shown him by the Pasay City police investigators. The QCPD had provided the Pasay police with the photos.

Chief Superintendent Jose Arne de los Santos, director of the Southern Police District (SPD) said the statements of Khumar and several other witnesses are sufficient enough to charge Faycho and his men with three counts of abduction, two counts of frustrated homicide and car theft.

De los Santos refused to reveal the names of the four other policemen pending the filing of the charges against them before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office.

Earlier, Faycho admitted that his men were part of an 11-vehicle convoy that coordinated with the SPD to conduct a police operation in Pasay City the same day armed men, identifying themselves as “policemen,” tried to kidnap Khumar. Faycho claimed he was not with his men, who also denied having a hand in the kidnap try on Khumar.

Khumar, along with his associates, Andy Bryan Ngie, 29, and Ferdinand Sales were on their way to the Pasay City police headquarters when they were caught in a traffic jam along Harrison Avenue.

Reports reaching De los Santos showed that several armed men surrounded Ngie’s Mazda Friendee van (BDM-479), but Khumar managed to get out and seek the help of Senior Inspector Renato Apolinario of the Pasay City police inspectorate office. Khumar took cover behind Apolinario and shots rang out.

Khumar and Apolinario sustained gunshot wounds. Khumar has been released from the hospital while doctors have declared Apolinario already out of danger. Ngie and Sales, as well as the van, are still missing.

De los Santos said Khumar is positive that Faycho was among the armed men who tried to kidnap him. He said one of the suspects was seen withdrawing P7,000 using Ngie’s ATM card in Urdaneta, Pangasinan the following day.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele ordered Faycho and four of his men disarmed and restricted to quarters. He vowed to cooperate fully in the SPD’s investigation of Khumar’s failed abduction.

He said he would initiate administrative charges against the five policemen as soon as the SPD forwards their investigation report to his office.