Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has ordered a manhunt for the seven cops who were declared fugitives over their alleged involvement in the September 2014 “hulidap” kidnapping attempt along EDSA.
Police officers Oliver Villanueva, Weavin Masa, Eronn Decatara, Mark de la Paz, Jerome Datinguinoo, Ramil Hachero, and Marco Polo Estrera were declared at large last Wednesday (June 3) after authorities failed to pinpoint their whereabouts.
The said declaration was made two days after a Mandaluyong court issued a warrant for their arrest on June 1.
The seven, along with three other officers who are already under police custody, are being investigated for their alleged involvement in a brazen extortion attempt along EDSA September last year.
While authorities have detained policemen Allan Emlano, Joseph de Vera, and Jonathan Rodriguez, the NCRPO and the Quezon City Police District have organized and deployed tracker teams to find the seven officers-turned-fugitives.
Senior Superintendent Bartolome Tobias, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that his office cannot discount the possibility that these cops are “armed and dangerous.”
“Because of the nature of their offense — kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and robbery-extortion — we can really say that they are dangerous,” Tobias said.
“In due time, we will catch these men and they will be held accountable for their wrongdoings.”
In an effort to avoid further conflict, Tobias also gave fair warning to the missing seven, saying that they should surrender for their own safety.
CNN Philippines’ Paul Garcia contributed to this report.
