Seven Las Pinas police officers arrested for alleged kidnap-for-ransom

March 7, 2019

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday arrested more cops who are allegedly doing illegal activities.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capitol Region police director, presented to media seven Las Pinas police officers who are arrested for alleged kidnap for ransom.

Before the presentation, Eleazar said they implemented a warrant of arrest against the suspects Wednesday afternoon inside the Custodial Detention Facility of Regional Headquarters Support Unit at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan.

Case records show that on November 21, 2018, the accused were then assigned at Las Piñas City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit and tried to extort money from a certain Shelane Lugutan, sister of their arrested suspect- Cyrus Wency Lugutan who was caught in an anti-illegal drugs operation.

The accused eluded the arresting team but surrendered to the NCRPO chief on November 29 2018.

“They were our accused in our entrapment operation but they were not arrested,” said Eleazar.

The extortion money was in exchange for the release of Lugutan’s brother.

The operation stemmed from the coordination by Police Major Resty Soriano, chief of police of Silang, Cavite to the NCRPO Regional Special Operations Unit ( RSOU).

“Yesterday, we received the copy of the warrant of arrest. This was addressed specifically to the Regional Headquarters Support Group acting chief, PLt. Col. Norberto Sta. Maria because these personnel were under restrictive custody of NCRPO since November of last year,” said Eleazar.

Criminal cases of kidnapping with serious illegal detention plus administrative case of grave misconduct were filed against the suspects.

They are now under the custody of RSOU for proper documentation and the warrant of arrest will be returned to Branch 134 of Tagaytay City Regional Trial Court.

Also presented was  Police Staff Sergeant  Rafael Muchuelas, said involved in a multi-million peso scam.

RSOU implemented the warrant of arrest against Muchuela for estafa inside the Custodial Detention Facility of Regional Headquarters Support Unit (RHSU) Tuesday afternoon.

This ensued after Police Master Sergeant  Jenaline Sad-Ang assigned at the Taguig City police station  appeared at RSOU office and sought assistance so the accused can be arrested.

Based on records, Muchueles was under restrictive custody for his involvement in reported investment scams and an administrative case of grave misconduct was filed against him on February 20, 2018.

On December 1, 2015, Sad- Ang and her spouses invested funds amounting to P2.6 million to Muchuelas who said he belonged to the Rafael Muchuelas Group of Companies and with ties to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

However, they were not able to get their money back despite demands, thus, they filed a case of estafa against Muchuelas.

Verification with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed the Rafael Muchuelas Group of Companies did not exist.

Muchuelas told reporters he was also a victim. “I only trusted my partner,” he said.

He said he also filed charges against his partner last January.

Eleazar scolded the suspect.

“What you said is the few you helped but where did they get the help? From more investors you get, that’s a syndicate. That’s the syndicate where those who benefit like you got the money from those who don’t have salary. And because of that, some are being encouraged to extort,” he said.

“You benefit from it but the others are not… most of the people who invest did not get anything,” Eleazar added.

He advised police officers to not get a loan just to invest in this scam.

“We are conducting information dissemination especially for those new trainees. Don’t ( get) loan. While it’s true that it’s their own decision and we can’t prevent them from getting loan but we are telling them this is what will happen to them,” said Eleazar.

In a statement, Eleazar said these accomplishments are due to  intensified  anti-criminality campaign.

“We assure the public that the PNP, especially NCRPO ,will run after criminals no matter where they try to hide,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS