Eight police officers from the Eastern Police District’s (EPD) Special Operations Unit have been granted temporary liberty after posting bail in connection with the alleged kidnapping for ransom and theft of a Chinese businessman’s P75 million in cash and valuables last April in Las Piñas.
In an order dated November 3, the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 197 granted the petitions for bail after the alleged victim, Li Jie, failed to testify in court ‘despite having been afforded numerous opportunities to do so.’
The eight officers – four staff sergeants, two corporals, and two patrolmen – were tagged in the April 2 unauthorized operation that led to the arrest of Li, which was actually a case of mistaken identity.
The policemen allegedly took around P75-million worth of cash and jewelry from Li’s house.
Li eventually executed an affidavit accusing the policemen of kidnapping for ransom and theft. However, he failed to appear and testify in court.
‘His absence on the witness stand, being the most crucial witness in this kidnapping case, substantially weakens the opposition to the petitions for bail,’ the court said.
‘It bears emphasis that from the evidence presented so far, only Li Jie can firmly testify on the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping,’ the court said.
Another Chinese citizen was also supposed to testify for the prosecution; however, he also failed to appear in court.
‘Without his testimony, the prosecution’s opposition to the petitions for bail is considerably weakened,’ the court said.
The court also discounted the testimony of the prosecution’s main witness, Col. Glenn Lomogan, then EPD’s Deputy District Director.
The court said Lomogan was merely an arresting officer and ‘does not possess personal knowledge of the actual circumstances about the alleged crime.’
The accused have posted P300,000 bail each.
The court clarified that the granting of bail is a provisional conclusion and not a final pre-judgment. The trial will begin on Dec. 10, 2025.