by Eva Visperas
A 34-year-old police officer assigned in Pangasinan was arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of a nine-year-old girl, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) confirmed.
The arrest was carried out following an investigation led by the Pangasinan PPO under Provincial Director Police Colonel Arbel Mercullo, after the minor positively identified the suspect as the person who forcibly took her on the morning of February 26, 2026.
Police reports said the Grade 3 pupil, identified only as alias “Mary,” was walking home in Barangay Laois, Labrador after buying from a nearby sari-sari store at around 6:30 a.m. when a black vehicle stopped beside her. The suspect allegedly pulled the child inside the car before speeding away.
Authorities said the victim cried and pleaded for help while inside the vehicle. She was later ordered to get off and abandoned in Barangay Gueset, Bugallon.
At about 7:30 a.m., the child’s grandmother sought assistance from the Labrador Municipal Police Station upon learning from barangay officials in Bugallon that the girl had been found safe in their area.
A key breakthrough in the investigation came when the minor recalled seeing a police uniform hanging at the back seat of thevehicle. Assisted by her guardian and a social worker from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the child later identified the suspect from photographs of police personnel.
Further verification conducted jointly by the Labrador Municipal Police Station, Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG)-Luzon Field Unit, and Sual Municipal Police Station led to a spot inspection where the minor again positively identified the suspect, prompting his immediate arrest.
On February 27, the victim, accompanied by her mother and police investigators, formally filed charges before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Lingayen.
The prosecutor found prima facie evidence to support charges for kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code and recommended the filing of information before the proper court.
The suspect is currently under the custody of the Labrador Municipal Police Station pending judicial proceedings. Administrative cases are likewise being prepared by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit due to the gravity of the offense.