DOJ recommends filing of raps vs. 3 over abduction of Filipinos, Chinese in 2023

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of charges against three individuals allegedly involved in the abduction of six Chinese and three Filipinos in Muntinlupa in October 2023.

According to the DOJ, the three Filipinos were released a day after they were abducted.

Authorities, meanwhile, have recovered the remains of four Chinese nationals while two remain missing as of posting time.

In a statement, the DOJ said it found probable cause to indict Edgar Catapang Abarca, Eduardo Catapang Abarca, and John Oliver Villanueva for kidnapping, serious illegal detention, homicide, and car theft charges.

They will be charged before a Muntinlupa court with four counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with homicide, four counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, one count of slight illegal detention, and one count of carnapping.

This stemmed from the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group in December 2023.

The DOJ said the three Filipinos were released by the suspects in Laguna a day after they were abducted.

The three then reported the incident to police authorities, leading them to conduct a series of operations.

Authorities have since recovered the remains of the four Chinese while two remain are still missing.

For his part, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered state prosecutors to file airtight cases against those responsible.

“Assure airtight cases are filed and show no mercy in prosecuting those behind these senseless crime. Let’s bring to justice those responsible for these crimes,” Remulla said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News