Suspects tag cops as kidnappers in Manila abduction

Two suspects in the abduction of three individuals in Manila's Santa Cruz district in April have tagged the police as behind the kidnapping.

According to Emil Sumangil's exclusive report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday, the suspects, who are in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation, were arrested on June 8 in a police operation in Batangas.

The suspects admitted they are assets of the police in their anti-illegal drug operations.

"Nagtuturo po ako ng subject, 'yong huhulihin po. Ngayon, kasi hindi po makagalaw ang kapulisan kapag wala silang asset kasi doon po sila kumukuha ng trabaho," one of the suspects said.

[I would point out subjects for the police to catch. they can't do anything if they don't have assets because tat's where they get the work.] 

"Sinasama po nila kami para magkaroon kami ng pera kasi kailangan nga po nila kami. Kumbaga, kami po 'yong pinapa-front nila para hindi po sila masunog sa tao," he added.

[They'd bring us with them. We'd earn money and they'd use us as a front.]

In April this year, 23-year-old Rexcell John Hipolito, 21-year-old Ronald Jae Dizon, and 18-year-old Ivan Serrano were out on the street when eight gunmen drove up and forced them into a car.

The suspects said the police were the ones who abducted the three individuals, who were allegedly involved in the marijuana trade.

The suspects said the three victims were already dead.

"Wala na po sila. Kumbaga, nabalitaan po naming patay na sila," one of them said.

[They're gone. We learned that they're already dead.]

The suspect said that he regretted his involvement and that he would tell everything he knew. 

The NBI said it is already investigating the matter.

It also put the two suspects in the Department of Justice's witness protection program.

The Philippine National Police Public Information Office declined to comment on the matter.

The victims' grief-stricken relatives demanded justice for their loved ones.

"Sana mabigyan ng hustisya ang ginawa nila sa kapatid ko at sa mga kasama niya. Hindi po dapat ganoon, tao din po yun eh. Dapat sa kanila patayin din po sila. Hindi makatarungan ang ginawa nila. Hindi sila Diyos para ganyan ang gawin nila," Rica Mae Dizon said.

[There should be justice for what they did to my brother and his companions. Not like this; they were people too. Those responsible should be killed too. What they did was unjust. They're not God that they can do what they did.] — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News