PALO, Leyte — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) on Thursday filed two counts of kidnapping with homicide against three suspects in connection with the abduction and killing of former Abuyog vice mayor James Bohol and his son, Carlo James Bohol.
The charges were filed through inquest proceedings before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Abuyog, Leyte, while the suspects are being held at the custodial facility of the Mayorga Municipal Police Station.
The suspects, identified only by the aliases Kim, Reniel, and Mark, were arrested during a joint law enforcement operation in Pasay City on June 30.
The operation was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Group, Police Regional Office 8, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group following extensive intelligence gathering, case build-up, and close inter-agency coordination.
“The filing of charges marks a significant step toward justice for the victims, and we will continue to pursue all those responsible and ensure they are held accountable under the law,” PRO-8 director BGen. Jason Capoy said.
Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) officer in charge Col. Celerino Sacro Jr., meanwhile, said investigators immediately launched intelligence, investigative and hot pursuit operations after receiving the missing persons report on June 27.
Sacro said sustained coordination among law enforcement agencies led to the recovery of crucial evidence, forensic examinations, the identification of the perpetrators and the arrest of the three suspects.
He added that the LPPO, in coordination with the Provincial Legal Office, completed the case build-up before filing the charges before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.
“As the case is now undergoing judicial proceedings, we will only disclose information that may be appropriately released without prejudicing the prosecution of the case,” Sacro said.
He also extended his condolences to the victims’ family and assured them that the Philippine National Police remains committed to bringing justice.