OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested two former police officials who are suspects of the kidnapping and killing of a businesswoman in Nueva Ecija in 2021.

CIDG chief BGen. Romeo Caramat identified the suspects as former staff sergeant June Marcelo Mallillin of Palayan and former master sergeant Rowen Reyes Martin, both former members of the Cabanatuan City police station.

A joint judgment was issued on Wednesday, January 18, by Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Presiding Judge Ana Marie Joson-Viterbo against the two suspects for the crime of kidnapping for ransom with homicide under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act 7659.

According to Caramat, the victim, Nadia Motalib Casar, and Grab driver Mark Nua Batac were abducted by the accused on July 20, 2021 in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. They were detained in an undisclosed location and the victim was instructed to call her family to send money in exchange for her freedom. Batac was subsequently released while the victim's burned remains were later located and recovered 13 days after the abduction.

In the 36-page joint judgment, Judge Joson-Viterbo said the accused 'conspired, mutually aiding and abetting one another with the use of firearms, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously kidnap and threaten to kill Nadia Motalib Casar, for the purpose of extorting a P100,000 ransom from her and her family, then killed, burned and buried her body, to the damage and prejudice of her family.'

Caramat said the suspects were arrested on Thursday at the Old Capitol Compound in Cabanatuan City.

'Our personnel in Nueva Ecija received a call from the said court to inform them that they will indeed issue their verdict against the accused. Our staff went there immediately, took a copy of the Joint Judgment and made the arrest,' Caramat said in a statement on Friday.