QC court convicted 5 for kidnapping-for-ransom of 2 minors — DOJ

A Quezon City court has convicted five individuals for kidnapping-for-ransom two minors in Cubao in July 2013, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Monday.

The DOJ said the QC Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 94 found three accused guilty and sentenced to reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole while two others were convicted as accomplices and sentenced to 10 years to 17 years of imprisonment.

The DOJ said the accused were also ordered to jointly and severally pay the victims P100,000 in civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages.

According to the DOJ, the victims who were then aged 10 and 15 were abducted by armed men while onboard a vehicle along EDSA on July 5, 2013.

“This conviction shows that the DOJ prosecution service continues to function effectively, even in complex cases,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin  Remulla said in a statement.

“Our prosecutors remain focused on building strong cases and holding perpetrators accountable,” he added.

Remulla stressed that the Philippine’s justice system is working.

Meanwhile, the DOJ said the case against one of the accused was dismissed due to his death during trial. Two other accused remain at large. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News