Abalos tags police gang in foreigners' kidnappings

A kidnapping ring composed of police officers and civilians is targeting foreigners in Metro Manila, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said yesterday.

- EMMANUEL TUPAS

The brazenness of the group’s members, numbering at least 14, is glaring as they are using motorcycles of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in their operations, he said.

“They used motorcycles owned by the government. They are that blatant,” Abalos said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

Abalos said four of the suspects are police officers assigned in different units in Metro Manila.

The highest-ranking officer is Maj. Christel Carlo Villanuva, an intelligence officer at the Pasay police station.

Abalos identified the other policemen as Sr. M/Sgt. Angelito David of the Makati police station’s motorcycle unit, S/Sgt. Ralph Tumanguil and M/Sgt. Ricky Tabora, who are both assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).