Another Camanava cop reported missing

Another policeman from Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) was reported missing after his colleague was kidnapped last Thursday, an official said yesterday.

Police Officer 2 Demetrio Ramilo, detailed at the Northern Police District, has not reported for work since Wednesday, said Chief Inspector Ilustre Mendoza, acting Caloocan police chief.

Ramilo was reportedly supposed to meet with Police Officer 1 Jo-Mar Reyes, a member of the Valenzuela police, when Reyes was snatched by unidentified armed men.

Reyes was driving his Toyota Avanza (ZJH-145) when a white Toyota Hi-Ace (XDO-701) blocked his path at the corner of Mariano Ponce street and EDSA and its occupants dragged him out of his car, according to reports.

At least six men carrying long firearms and wearing caps handcuffed Reyes before forcing him into the van.

Closed-circuit television footage showed the van speeding toward De Jesus street.

Probers said they recovered from Reyes’ car two license plates, TQW-808 and ZNV-654; a knife and other personal belongings.

Mendoza ruled out robbery as a possible motive after police officers recovered P106,000 cash in Reyes’ car.

A check with the Land Transportation Office showed that the license plates are not registered to Reyes.

Reyes’ wife told Mendoza he left their house to meet with Ramilo at the very corner where he was kidnapped.

She said her husband and Ramilo had arrested a suspected pusher, known only as Bulig, in Valenzuela.

“Reyes’ wife called Ramilo, but the latter denied that they had such a drug operation,” Mendoza told The STAR.

Witnesses said they saw two men who seemed to be waiting at the corner before the policeman was taken.

Police work?

Investigators believe that both policemen were “abducted” by fellow policemen.

“But if these were legitimate police operations, they should have coordinated with us,” Mendoza said.

Checks with the Anti-Kidnapping Group and Highway Patrol Group to see if Ramilo and Reyes were arrested were unsuccessful.

“All indications show that Reyes was arrested by policemen, from their demeanor and the long firearms, not to mention the handcuffs. But where is he now?” Mendoza said.

A team from the Caloocan police “visited” Ramilo’s apartment in Valenzuela yesterday but the missing policeman’s relatives told them “not to entertain anyone looking for him.”

A source at the NPD said officials had also instructed Ramilo to report to the headquarters but he never showed up.

The same source told The STAR that Ramilo could have been “taken” by the same men even before Reyes was abducted.