Suspected Yu kidnappers facing a string of cases

CEBU CITY — Three of the five suspects in the Yu kidnapping are wanted for various crimes outside Cebu, according to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Edwin Diocos.

Suspects Roberto Galope and brothers Henry and Efren Hernandez were arrested with two others for the kidnap of 11-year-old Ryan James Yu last July 23 in Peace Valley, Oppra.

Yu was found abandoned in a house in BC Homes two days later.

According to a report submitted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Galope is still facing separate rape and homicide with physical injuries charges in Surigao City.

Charges of serious physical injuries due to reckless imprudence were reportedly also filed against him in South Cotabato but was later dismissed.

Efren Hernandez is wanted for murder in Quezon and Cavite, robbery in Davao, estafa in Pasay and Pasig City, and for illegal gambling in Muntinlupa.

His younger brother Henry is also wanted for murder in San Pablo City, estafa in Caloocan, frustrated homicide in Camarines Norte and robbery in Marikina.

The report also said they were not able to find any criminal records of the other two suspects Edgar Manimog and Jovencio Camado.

Although these have no bearing in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges being filed against them for the Yu kidnapping, Diocos said this negates their claims that they are law-abiding and respectable citizens.

Diocos also said they are still waiting for the testimony of HR Taxi clerk Cecille Balmori, who sold the white Kia Pride to the suspects more than a month before the kidnap.

The Kia Pride was used by the suspects to bring Yu from Barangay Sudlon to BC Homes.

In a letter, Balmori said someone had approached them introducing himself as a certain Casey Ybañez, not Bandilles as earlier reported, who said he was interested in purchasing one of their reconditioned taxis last June 13.

He also reportedly said he was in the usury business and then paid the P80,000 agreed upon.

He came back the next day with the five others, one of whom he introduced as Dodoy, the driver. They stayed there all day waiting for the vehicle as it got a new paint job and a few other renovations, which they later took with them that same afternoon.

The following day Ybañez with three other strangers again returned with the car and left it there to have repairs done on their airconditioning.

They went there for the last time last July 9, two days after she texted Dodoy that it was ready. Balmori said they were in her office where they exchanged pleasantries since she had "established kinship" with them.

Meanwhile, police regional director Avelino Razon said the police are continuing its manhunt operation against the mastermind in the kidnapping of Yu.

In particular, Razon ordered the arrest of a certain "Kevin," allegedly the pseudonym used by PO2 Engelberto Durano.

Durano is allegedly the mastermind behind the Yu kidnapping.

"We will not stop unless we arrest the alias Kevin who was identified as PO2 Engelberto Durano," Razon said. — Freeman News Service