5 cops face raps for kidnap of cockfight player

MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) yesterday filed criminal charges against five police officers tagged in the kidnapping of a cockfight player in San Pablo City, Laguna last year.

The charges, lodged before the Department of Justice in Manila, were in connection with the kidnapping of Ricardo Lasco on Aug. 30.

The CIDG did not identify the officers included in the charge sheet.

Earlier, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra relieved Pat. Roy Navarette, S/Sgt. Daryl Paghangaan and M/Sgt. Michael Claveria over Lasco’s disappearance.

Witnesses positively identified the officers as among the armed men who barged into Lasco’s home in Barangay San Lucas I, the CIDG said.

The officers reportedly posed as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation when they arrested Lasco, purportedly on charges of large-scale estafa.

The suspects allegedly took P680,000 in cash and personal belongings of Lasco and his relatives.