MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed murder charges against eight persons for the death of Korean businessman Nam Sunuk in Valenzuela City last February 13.

The eight arrested suspects were presented before state prosecutors for inquest proceedings on Tuesday (February 23).

They were identified as: Kimberly Radores, Rica Estrella, Rusty Hernadez Cruz, Josephine Pidlaoan Nape, Leana Marie Nagaño aka “Yana”, Bryan Saga Gulfo, Bryan Remlona Escamillas, and a policeman cohort, Police Corporal Darwin Garcia Castillo.

According to PNP Chief, Police General Debold Sinas, a major breakthrough in the investigation was uncovered when three of the suspects, Radores, Estrella and Castillo, executed extra-judicial confessions, in the presence of lawyers detailing their personal knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the death of Nam Sunuk.

Sinas said investigators of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Nam Sunuk have recovered a Norinco cal.45 pistol and a red Honda Civic believed used in the crime.

As pieced together by SITG Nam Sunuk investigators, based on initial information and evidence gathered, the victim Nam Sunik was shot and killed in the backseat of his Hyundai Tucson SUV on the night of February 13, 2021 along Padrigal Extension, Maysan, Valenzuela City, allegedly by Gulfo and Escamillas with Castillo tailing behind in a back-up car, Sinas said.

The other suspects participated in the crime as contact persons and facilitators for the hitmen, he said.

Sinas said SITG Nam Sunuk is now looking into other leads and information to establish an airtight case against the suspects. These include email exchanges between the victim and some of the suspects.

MANILA, Philippines — Four parents of the rescued Lumad children were taken by suspected communist militants, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP chief PGen. Debold Sinas cited reports that the parents were supposed to meet with the police in Davao del Norte on Monday (February 22) for their trip to Cebu City However, only two parents showed up.

Reports also stated that the four Lumad parents were taken on Sunday (February 21) by suspected organizers of communist front groups who posed as police officers.

“Obviously, these four parents were lured into believing they would be meeting with their children in Cebu when they were taken by persons who disguised themselves as police officers,” Sinas said.

The PNP chief added that the said stunt was a desperate move of communist front organizations to get away from criminal liability of serious illegal detention and child exploitation.

Sinas also assured that police authorities are already exerting efforts to locate the parents.

The Ata Manobo children were among the 19 Lumad minors who were brought to Cebu City by communist front.

Reports indicate that the children were undergoing radicalization and revolutionary warfare indoctrination.

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark reported the seizure of two black plastic packs of shabu with a weight of 1,000 grams and an estimated value of P6.8 million concealed inside an imported Air Fryer from Sha Alam, Malaysia.

The shipment, which arrived on February 16, was declared as “Air Fryer, Silkware”.

Physical examination led to the discovery of two frying pans and one air fryer. 

Meanwhile, x-ray examination revealed the presence of organic substance inside the lid of the air fryer. 

The Customs examiner opened the same where he found two black plastic packs containing crystalline substances which were later confirmed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu after laboratory testing and chemical analysis.

The claimant was arrested on February 19 through a Warrant of Seizure and Detention issued by District Collector Atty. Ruby Alameda.

He is now facing a case for violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26a , Article II of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.