Victim’s kin laud Dennis Roldan’s conviction in kidnapping case

The family members of the Filipino-Chinese boy who was kidnapped by a group led by former Quezon City congressman Dennis Roldan in 2005 on Tuesday welcomed his conviction by a Pasig court.

A News TV Live report by GMA News' Mark Salazar said relatives of Kenshi Yu became emotional when the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 handed the guilty verdict on Roldan and his two co-accused, Rowena San Andres and Adrian Domingo.

Roldan was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or at least 30 years in prison.

Anti-kidnapping crusader Teresita Ang See, who witnessed the handing down of the verdict, lauded the court's decision, the report said.

The report said Roldan remained passive while the decision was being read. His lawyers said they are confident the court will favor them during the case's automatic review.



Meanwhile, Roldan's co-accused, San Andres and Domingo, wept, saying they did not expect the decision and were not able to prepare their family for their immediate separation.

Another accused, Suzette Wang, was still at large. Noel San Andres and Romeo Orcajada, also accused, are both deceased, while another accused, Octavio Garces, was acquitted.

Roldan, whose real name is Mitchell Gumabao, San Andres, and Domingo were immediately brought to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City, as part of a commitment order pushed by presiding Judge Rolando Mislang.

All three will be held at the NBP until pending the result of the automatic review of the case. —Rie Takumi/KBK/NB, GMA News