4 Calamba cops charged over 2 drug suspects’ kidnapping

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Criminal complaints have been filed against four police officers and four other people in connection with the alleged kidnapping of two drug suspects in Calamba City on Jan. 11.

Charges of kidnapping and robbery were filed before the city prosecutor’s office against the policemen identified only as a Capt. Nat, S/Sgt. Mal, Cpl. Cas and a Patrolman Satur.

National Police Commission-Calabarzon director Owen de Luna said the four police officers are also facing administrative cases for misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

De Luna said the criminal charges were recently filed by  the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office in Laguna.

He said the complainants positively identified the four police officers in lineups presented by the Calamba police on April 12 and Calabarzon police on May 6.

The families of the victims have been provided security while an investigation is ongoing.

The four policemen were reportedly among eight armed men who seized the two drug suspects in Barangay Parian. The two remain missing.

Four police officers have also been charged over the kidnapping of a resort caretaker in Los Baños City on March 26.

The respondents were identified only by their aliases of Baco, Naredo, Lan and Burda.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Milany Martirez, Calamba police chief, was subjected to pre-charge investigation for neglect of duty under the doctrine of command responsibility for failure to supervise, coordinate, control and monitor the discharge of duties of her subordinates.