Most wanted kidnapper in PH nabbed in Tarlac
The reward system helps the Philippine National Police in tracking down the most wanted criminals in the country, PNP spokesperson Generoso Cerbo said, Photo by EFIGENIO CHRISTOPHER D. TOLEDO IV
By Encar Marie T. Ilao and Bernadette D. Nicolas
The Philippines’ most notorious kidnapper has been nabbed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), thanks to the “strengthened” reward system.
Joel Tapec, a former officer of the Eastern Police District, was arrested last September 18 at Moncada, Tarlac because of an informant’s cue. Tapec was deemed to be one of the most wanted criminals by the PN since 2005.
“Meron siyang kaso ng murder, kidnapping for ransom, and robbery among others kaya nga talagang matigas na kriminal ‘yan,” Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo, PNP spokesperson said. “Hindi siya mahuli-huli pero ‘yun nga nagkaroon kami ng matinding informant, doon na siya makikita sa Tarlac, binigyan kami ng specific na area so minonitor namin. Nagpalabas [kami] ng operatives at talagang tinutukan and lo and behold nand’on nga siya.”
Tapec ranked third in the list of the ten most wanted persons in the Eastern Police District with PNP offering P275,000 amount of reward money for information which would lead to his arrest.
He was the leader of the Dose Pares group, which was involved in robbery hold-up and kidnapping operations in Pasig, Makati, Quezon Province and Rizal.
The reward system is an effective way in encouraging people to cooperate in tracking down notorious criminals, Cerbo said.
Eligible for reward
Cerbo said that Tapec, while still serving as a police officer, was discovered to be the leader of a robbery and kidnap syndicate which started operations in 2005.
“Nakasuhan siya sa PNP at natanggal sa trabaho. A case was filed against him. At doon sa finile na criminal case na laban sa kanya, naglabas sila ng warrant of arrest,” he said.
He also said that in PNP, the reward system is being given to criminals involved in big crimes, depending on the heinousness and on the gravity of the crime.
Tapec became eligible for reward because of many criminal offenses he had committed. And because of the big budget for money being given to witnesses and informants, people were encouraged to help the authorities to track down Tapec.
“Isa lang ‘yun sa mga significant accomplishments natin sa Philippine National Police assisted by the reward system,” he said.