NEWS UPDATE

3 Suspected Members of Organized crime syndicate in CDO arrested in Ozamiz

Three suspected members of a big time organized crime syndicate from Cagayan De Oro City were captured while still sleeping at Dottie’s Inn Banadero Highway Ozamiz City today October 17,2015 at around 7:00 in the morning.

Ozamiz City Police through Police Inspector Catipay identified the suspects as Jamaiden Caresa Maunga, 19, Gorge Edmilao, 40 and Victor Tabada, 35 all from Bulua Cagayan de Oro City. They were arrested inside a room in Dottie’s Inn when their kidnap victim and Van driver Jerry Velarde 39 was able to escaped from the hands of his abductors.

He sought the assistance from the hotel workers after jumping off from the comfort room of the hotel and he was brought to Felipe Carreon Memorial Elementary School where members of the BPAT were there on duty.

According to Punong Barangay Shiela Marie Parijinog-Agonoy, that Velarde shared to them why and how they were in Ozamiz City.

Immediatley, Agonoy called up the police office and the police officers quickly respond to the call from the barangay captain and there they saw the kidnap driver victim Velarde.

He was so hungry coz, since yesterday, October 16,2015 wasn’t able to eat rice and he was living in fear while in the hands of his abductors. Barangay Captain Agonoy along with his BPAT members, gave food to Velarde to regain his strength before presented to Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.

When the police officers arrived at the City Hall, Mayor Parojinog was at his office and presented the suspects and the kidnap victim.

He talked to them why and how it happened and after which presented before the media.

According to Parojinog, he already informed DILG Secretary Sarmiento about the incident as well as the police officers of Cagayan de Oro City.

HE even knew that the three were involved in the series and big time carnapping and kidnapping incidents in Cagayan De Oro City.

Meanwhile Jamaiden Masunga, one of the suspects shared that he was just picked up by Edmilao and Tabada along the street in Bulua and was even invited to go with them for a happy trip but when they were inside the van accordingly, he was the one to contact a buyer of the van in Marawi City.

“ Pinipik up lang nila ako at sabi sabay daw kami sa happy trip kaya sumama ako sa kanila. Peo nong nag usap usap sila tungkol sa pagbinta ng van at subrang mura kaya sinabi ko sa kanila na ako ang maghanap ng buyer na mahal mga 200 thousand kaya nagpunta kami sa Marawi sa mga tiyahin ko don kaya lang nagalit sila sakin kung bakit nagdala daw ako ng van na walang mga papeles.” According to Masunga

George Edmilao, another suspect also revealed that the van they rented was owned by a certain Rey Modequillo who trusted him because it was his second time of renting a van for a 3 days trip.

But this time, his intention is to really car nap the van and sold it to a contact through his friend Jamaiden Masunga a Maranao who is also one of the suspects.

“ Talagang intention ko na I carnap ang van kasi nalolong na ako sa drugs mao to na among nahimo.Pro si Paopao man ang naay contact sa Marawi mao nga siya na lang ang among guide didto kay naa man daw siya mga paryene sa Marawi.” Edmilao added.

For his part. Victor Tabada, another suspect stressed that he has no intention to accompany Edmilao and Masunga, but accordingly, Masunga threatened him and his family, that’s why he accompanied them in the said trip to Marawi to sell the van.” said Tabada.

While Jerry Velarde the kidnap victim narrated his sad experiences with his abductors that he was driving a van rented by a certain Gorge from Cagayan de Oro City through his Manager Owner Rey Modequillo.

Accordingly their trip was good for three days bound for Bukidnon. However, when they reached Iligan City, he was instructed to dropped by at Timoga to meet someone and was instructed to get inside a certain room.

But he was shocked when he was suddenly tied up with a cord and no longer at the drivers seat but at the back seat and further instructed not to shout or to stay behind when they can passed by a police checkpoint.

It was Edmilao who was driving the van in going to Marawi City. When they reach Marawi, there was a conversation he heard from Masunga and his relatives and also from his abductors.

What he recalled was, that they would burn the van including him if nobody will buy it. Further he was threatened to be killed and placed in a drum.

He cried and asked his kidnappers to free him and allowed him to go home but the kidnappers were all strict and instead they asked him if the gas of the van can still reach Ozamiz City.

Midnight of October 16,2015 when the suspects arrived in Ozamiz City and bought bread at Rose Bakery and asked the people around there if where they could check in over night that’s why they went to Dotties Inn as recommended.

When the suspects had no money to pay the rent, they got the money from the driver including the money for his family with a total amount of more than two thousand pesos.

It was really an ordeal on the part of Velarde that he was held captive for one day and one night without food.

Although he felt hungry but he kept on praying that he could escape from the hands of the suspects so that he could go back to his family safely.

Indeed, his prayers had been heard and his abductors have been arrested with the help of the people in Ozamiz City.

The suspects were now detained at the PNP station and the driver was able to go back to his family in Cagayan De Oro City.

Mayor Parojinog concluded that the arrest of the suspects was the result of the unity among the Ozamiznons who are peace loving citizens.

" Mao ni resulta kong anaa ang pagtinabangay sa tanan. sa media, police ug sa katawhan sa barangay kay makatabang pod ta pagsulbad sa mga panghiabo sa laing dapit nga nia nila gidala diri ug pasalamat ta sa atong kapolisna ug sa BPAT sa Banadero nga nadakpan ni sila kay kitana pod ang madaot ani sa Ozamiz nga dili ra ba ta gusto ug ingon ani nga buhat kay makadaot na saatong imahin sa syudad." Parojinog quipped.

Suspects would face appropriate charges when all the documents be ready anytime today!