Charges filed vs group in Barbers kidnap attempt

Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna - The group accused of trying to abduct Philippine Tourism Authority general manager Robert Dean Barbers and his family over the weekend were formally charged on Monday before the Batangas City prosecutor. Bauan police said that they have filed attempted kidnapping, grave threats, illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban against PO1 Jun Virtusio, his brothers Niño and Noel, and their cousin Gerry Mendoza. Virtusio is assigned at the Cuenca, Batangas police station while Niño is an active member of Philippine Air Force. Noel is a member of the Barangay Intelligence Network in Batangas City. PO1 Virtusio and Mendoza have already been arrested and are now detained at the Bauan police station. De Castro said despite the statements of two witnesses who surfaced and disputed the claims of Barbers, their investigation would center on the allegations made by the tourism official. He said that their investigation will only focus on the incident in my area of responsibility, which is Bauan. The case against the group was filed before prosecutor Juanito Lat of Batangas City. Included in the complaint sheet were the sworn affidavits by Barbers and his witnesses, including the testimony of local journalist Benjie Aclan who was able to capture the commotion on his mobile phone. De Castro said police immediately filed the case because they might be charged for arbitrary detention if they detain the suspects without filing formal charges. He said they might also file other affidavits of other possible witnesses to bolster the cases. Bauan police records showed that while cruising a provincial road in Bauan town, Barbers was driving his Ford Explorer, with his wife and their three daughters aboard, when a Mitsubishi Adventure blocked their path in the vicinity of Barangay Manghinao, Bauan. Barbers said four armed men disembarked from the van and ordered him to alight his sports utility vehicle at gunpoint. He said the suspects had initially blocked their path in San Jose town but he was able to maneuver his vehicle. The suspects, he claimed, chased them until they were able to stop Barbers in Bauan. The story had another version which states that Barbers and A2C Niño Virtusio had an altercation in San Jose town. Virtusio said that Barbers struck him on the head with a handgun which sparked a commotion. When Virtusio's brother - a Cuenca policeman - learned of the incident, he responded and a chase ensued. He said Barbers and the brothers met at the police station in neighboring Bauan town, Barbers accused Virtusio of trying to abduct and threaten him. Police said that before the group was accused of attempted abduction, PO1 Virtusio had even called the Batangas provincial police office for assistance in setting up a roadblock. "Have you ever heard of a kidnapping where an abductor asked for police assistance in establishing a roadblock?" a policeman said. - GMANews.TV