Ten indicted for kidnap, slay of pharma firm exec

The Department of Justice will file charges against ten persons who have been linked to the kidnapping and death of a pharmaceutical company executive in July 2022.

In a resolution dated February 14, the DOJ indicted Carlo Cadampog, Cesar Cadampog, Adrian Joseph Mendez, Richmel Riel Ignilan, Jomel Vizcarra, and Aldrin/ Norman Antonio as principals for kidnapping for ransom with murder.

The prosecutors also indicted John Benedict Dumalanta and Victor Ferrer as accomplices and David Gundran Jr. and Melvin Andes as accessories.

“After evaluation of the evidence, the Panel of Prosecutors found sufficient evidence to hold respondents, save for Melchor Andes, a minor for trial,” the DOJ said in a statement.

The DOJ said the criminal information against the respondents, aside from the minor, will be filed at the Sto. Tomas, Batangas Regional Trial Court.

The victim, Eduardo Tolosa, was last seen on July 19, 2022. His SUV was later found charred in Pampanga.

Five of the suspects, including the 13-year-old Melchor Andes, surrendered to authorities in September 2022. The suspects in their statements said Tolosa was killed as early as July 19.

According to the DOJ, respondents Dumalanta, Gundran, Melvin Andes, Melchor Andes, and Ferrer identified Carlo Cadampog as the mastermind in the killing of Tolosa.

The DOJ said the indictment was grounded on their testimonies as well as the testimonies of other witnesses. —NB, GMA Integrated News