PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered the relief of Brig. Elmer Rayag, the chief of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), over the unit’s handling of recent kidnapping cases.
The latest case involved Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que (also known as Cong Yuan Guo and Anton Tan) and his driver, who were found dead in Rizal last Wednesday, more than a week after they were kidnapped.
Rayag was reassigned as the officer-in-charge of the Office of the Executive Officer of the Area Police Command-Northern Luzon.
Col. David Poklay, the deputy director for operations of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, was designated as the officer-in-charge of the AKG.
Rayag was relieved as AKG director last February amid questions on the legitimacy of the rescue of a 14-year-old Chinese student in Paranaque City. The victim was rescued on February 25, five days after he was abducted in Taguig City.
However, Ragay was reinstated to his post because his relief was not cleared by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The transfer, movement or detail of government personnel is not allowed during an election period unless approved by the Comelec.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo and PNP public information office chief Col. Randulf Tuano did not respond to questions about whether the latest relief and reassignment of Ragay was cleared by the Comelec.
In a press briefing, Fajardo said: “We would like to confirm the relief of Gen. Elmer Ragay as director of the Anti-Kidnapping Group. As to the reason, this is what the chief (PNP) wanted to say. He (Marbil) is not satisfied with the performance (of Gen. Ragay.
“That is why he was relieved and replaced today,” added Fajardo.
Fajardo said Marbil was not satisfied with how the AKG handled the kidnapping of Que and his driver and the “previous case,” referring to the kidnapping of the Chinese student last February.
“What our chief PNP wanted to say is he is making accountable all commanders, whether you are the regional director, (or whether) you are the provincial director,” said Fajardo.
“In the case of Gen. Ragay, he is the director (of) AKG. If you are not competent enough to deliver what is expected of you, then you will be relieved from your position,” said Fajardo.
Que, the owner of Elison’s Steel in Valenzuela City, and his driver were last seen alive on the afternoon of March 29. The following day, the family of Que reported the kidnapping to the AKG.
The victim’s Lexus vehicle was found abandoned in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City last Tuesday, while the bodies were found last Wednesday morning in Sitio Udiongan, Barangay Macabud, in Rodriguez, Rizal.
“Initial investigation revealed that the two bodies were placed in a nylon bag, tied with nylon rope, and their faces wrapped with duct tape,” said Calabarzon region police spokesperson Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran.
“There were signs of bruises and some bodily injuries and there are also signs of strangulation,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo did not confirm or deny reports that the victims were executed by their captors, even if the Que family had paid ransom for their release.
“As to the specifics, we are not giving details because there is an ongoing investigation (on the case), including the possibility that the family paid ransom,” said Fajardo.
Pressed for an answer, Fajardo said: “This is part of the investigation — if kidnapping (for ransom) is the main objective (of the suspects).”
Fajardo noted that victims of kidnap-for-ransom cases are usually released by their captors upon payment of ransom.
Fajardo said the case is being investigated by a Special Investigation Task Group headed by Lt. Gen. Edgard Okubo, the chief of the Directorial staff of the PNP.
Fajardo declined to give further information, adding the Que family wants privacy.
“What we can say right now is we are pursuing some leads,” said Fajardo, adding they are looking into the possibility that the suspects were involved in past kidnapping incidents.
“We are appealing for your understanding. We cannot give the specific details as to the possible motive behind the abduction of the victims and his driver, as well as the possible motive behind this incident since this is part of our investigation,” said Fajardo.
Malacanang said government forces will not sleep on the reported spate of kidnappings in the country involving Chinese-Filipinos, among them Anson Que.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro acknowledged the concerns raised by the Chinese-Filipino community in the country, which claimed that around 12 persons have been abducted this year.
“Patuloy po ang pag-iimbestiga po dito. Hindi po ito tutulugan ng gobyerno (the investigations will continue. The government will not sleep on this),” Castro said in a briefing in Malacanang.
“Ang lahat po ng nagaganap dito ay pinagbilin po ng Pangulo, na dapat imbestigahang mabuti para po ma-lessen o ma-eradicate ang mga ganitong klaseng krimen dito sa Pilipinas (The President instructed that all these things that are happening should be investigated thoroughly to lessen or to eradicate this kind of crimes in the Philippines),” she added.
Castro made the remarks amid police confirmation that the bodies of Que and his driver were found in a vacant grassy area in Rizal after they were reported missing last March 30.
Authorities are looking into the possibility that the abduction may be related to a group linked with Philippine offshore gaming operators.
UP IN ARMS
Business groups deplored in “the strongest possible terms the heinous, barbaric kidnapping and brutal murders of Que and (his driver), saying these acts are not merely crimes but “are an assault on the soul of our nation, a grotesque violation of humanity itself, and a declaration of war against the principles of justice, decency, and peace”
In a joint statement yesterday, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and the Philippine Exporters Confederation called for justice and appealed for better peace and order.
The groups lamented the fact that the murders came after the recent kidnapping of a young Chinese student in an international school and the killing of his driver.
“Let the wheels of justice turn with ferocious speed, and let their verdicts echo as a warning to those who would dare repeat such
infamy,” they said. – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Irma Isip
