Death for King’s kidnappers

CEBU CITY — Three of the six persons involved in the 1998 kidnapping of businessman Regan King here were meted the maximum penalty of death, ending nearly five years of trial.

Ronald Tumalon, Marieto Alvizo and Ronald Caballero were meted the death sentence for their direct participation in the kidnapping of King, who was freed for a ransom of P5 million.

Regional Trial Court judge Raphael Yrastorza, who issued the verdict yesterday, also sentenced Daniel Cuyno, an accomplice in the crime, to life imprisonment. Sergio Divinagracia and Elpedio Varela, who were accessories to the crime were also given a 10 and five-year sentence, respectively.

In its 17-page decision, the court narrated that on Oct. 21, 1998, the six, who were fully armed, posed as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) purportedly serving a warrant of arrest against Regan.

They demanded P2 million but because Regan only had P10,000 in cash then, they took the cash along with his camera, mobile phone, and a two-way radio. They also forcibly took Regan from his 6R Marketing office in the Reclamation Area and brought him to a duplex where he was detained until his family was able to pay the ransom.

Tumalon, Divinagracia, and Varela reportedly initially asked for a P50 million ransom from King’s family. — Freeman News Service