PNP chief: Families aided surrender of 3 ex-cops linked to missing e-sabong agent

The families of the three former policemen who were allegedly linked to the kidnapping of one of the missing sabungeros helped in their surrender to authorities amid safety concerns, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has said.

“The cause of their surrender is the warrant of arrest issued by the RTC judge of San Pablo City. Instead na hulihin ng pulis, ‘yung mga pamilya nila mismo ang nagkusang-loob na i-surrender sila,” Azurin said in Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday.

Police Patrolman Rigel Brosas and Police Staff Sergeant Daryl Paghangaan surrendered to the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) Team 4-A on Thursday.

Former Police Corporal Roy Navarete also voluntarily surrendered at the Calauan Municipal Police Station in Laguna on Saturday night.

The three suspects are facing kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and robbery with violence charges in connection with the alleged kidnapping of e-sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco.

“Assigned sila sa Laguna Police Provincial Office, sa Intelligence Section. Sila po ‘yung na pinpoint ng mga kamag-anak [ni Lasco] para sila’y pumunta at kumuha sa bahay-bahay. Nakilala sila,” Azurin said.

“They were criminally charged… kidnapping serious and illegal detention, then sa administrative case nila they were already dismissed,” he added.

Lasco was illegally arrested at his house in Laguna by the police officers who allegedly pretended to be members of the National Bureau of Investigation. He has not been seen since.

“Nagbababa at nagtataas ng mask sila eh, importante kasi ‘yun, saka nu’ng pinakita sa aming kaanak ang mga ito, ‘yung lukso ng dugo, picture pa lang, alam na alam na ito ang kumuha. Na-recall nila eh,” said Charlene Lacso, sister of the victim.

Azurin said he hoped that those involved in the alleged kidnapping of the missing sabungeros will voluntarily surrender and cooperate with the authorities to resolve the case.

“With this breakthrough sana ‘yung mga ibang cases pa na iniimbestigahan ng CIDG ay tulungan nila ang PNP. We only hope na sana, mag volunteer na rin sila. We are also encouraging them to come out so that we could give justice po doon sa mga nawawalang mga sabungero,” he added.

With the latest developments in the case, Lasco’s family expressed hope that the mystery surrounding his whereabouts and what happened to him would be resolved.

“Tatlong pulis lang ‘to. So, may mga kasama pa sila na 13 o 15 pa. Hindi natin alam kung anong play ng mga ‘to pero kami umaasa kami na sana magkaroon talaga ng hustisya,” Charlene said.—Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA Integrated News