PNP News Releases 2008

REWARD UP FOR KIDNAP-MURDER SUSPECTS

Anti- crime advocates and friends of murdered kidnap victim have raised P300,000.00 reward for two fugitives accused of the crime.

Friends of murdered Cavite businessman Demosthenes Cañete offered P150,000.00 each for the capture of PO1 Reniel Abogado and Mariano "Spider" De Leon, co-accused as conspirators in the kidnapping murder of Cañete and his driver Allan Garay.

Efforts are now underway by the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) under PSSupt Leonardo A Espina to locate the wanted suspects. PACER has accounted for six suspects during separate operations.

"We have made coordinations with some local PNP units to locate De Leon and Abogado, and we are hopeful that citizens will be encouraged to help us find these fugitives," Espina said.

Other co-accused now detained are former Dasmariñas Vice Mayor Victor Carungcong, spouses PCInsp Exequiel and Penelope Cautiver, PO1 Ric Selga, Alejandrito Entolizo Jr., and Gary Pateo.

In the scheduled arraignment this morning at the sala of Hon. Pedro Gutierrez, presiding judge of RTC Branch 119 of Pasay City, PCInsp Exequiel Cautiver and PO1 Ric Selga pleaded not guilty to charges of Kidnapping for Ransom and Double Murder.

The counsel of Carungcong and other accused filed a motion for deferment of arraignment, while the counsel of Penelope Cautiver filed a motion for reinvestigation.

The court earlier issued Warrants of Arrest for the eight accused including several John Does. The same court denied bail to all accused.

The families of Cañete and Garay welcome the reward offer that will "hasten law enforcement efforts to account for and make these criminals pay for their crime."

Speaking on behalf of the family, Atty Joann Cañete Chan, daughter of the murdered victim, expressed gratitude to police and prosecution authorities for the swift action.

"We look forward to the day when all those who conspired in this crime will be locked behind bars for good," Atty Chan said.

For his part, PACER chief PSSupt Espina expressed confidence of a successful prosecution of the case.