11 cops relieved of duty over alleged involvement in abductions

Eleven police officers accused of involvement in the disappearance of four individuals in Cavite last year have been relieved of duty, following the complaints lodged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

According to a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, among those relieved were Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Orapa who previously headed the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the NCRPO.

Also relieved were Police Lieutenant Jesus Menez, Police Staff Sergeant Ronald Lanaria, Police Staff Sergeant Ronald Montibon, Police Staff Sergeant Troy Paragas, Police Staff Sergeant Roy Pioquinto, Police Staff Sergeant Robert Raz Jr., Police Corporal Christal Rosita, Police Corporal Denar Roda, Police Corporal Alric Natividad, and Police Corporal Ruscel Solomon.

The NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs earlier filed complaints against the 11 for kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and the anti-enforcement of the Involuntary Disappearance Act.

The complaints were in relation to the abduction of three men supposedly involved in cockfighting or sabong—brothers Gio and Mico Mateos, and their friend Gary Matreo—in Alfonso, Cavite in April 2021

CCTV footage showed that Gio was seen waiting on the street and entering a black vehicle, while Mico was seen on a motorcycle when he was grabbed and placed into another black car.

The officials were also said to have been involved in the disappearance of Ronald Añonuevo in Dasmariñas.

The NCRPO said it is coordinating with the authorities to address the matter. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News