The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday, Feb. 16, that it has approved the indictment of 10 persons for the kidnapping and killing of Iraseth Pharmaceutical Inc. owner Eduardo Tolosa.
The DOJ identified those to be indicted for kidnap for ransom with murder are Carlo G. Cadampog; Cesar G. Cadampog; Adrian Joseph Mendez; Richmel Riel P. Ignilan; Jomel Q. Vizcarra; Aldrin Antonio/Norman Antonio; John Benedict V. Dumalanta; Victor R. Ferrrer; David Z. Gundran Jr.; and Melvin L. Andes who have been tagged as an accessories.
The charges will be filed before the regional trial court of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, the DOJ said.
The department said a resolution dated Feb. 14 was issued by a panel of prosecutors that conducted the preliminary investigation of the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) that also named Melchor Andes, a minor, as a respondent.
“After evaluation of the evidence, the Panel of Prosecutors found sufficient evidence to hold respondents, save for Melchor Andes, a minor, for trial,” said DOJ.
“The indictment of respondents for kidnapping for ransom with murder is not only grounded on the extrajudicial confessions of John Benedict Dumalanta, David Gundran Jr., Melvin Andes, Melchor Andes and Victor Ferrer who are all in unison in pointing to Carlo Cadampog as the mastermind in the killing of Tolosa but also on other relevant evidence such as CCTV (closed circuit television) footages and testimonies of other witnesses who corroborated on the plan of Carlo Cadampog to abduct and exact money from Tolosa,” it added.
Among the respondents, John Benedict Dumalanta, David Gundran Jr., Melvin Andes, Melchor Andes and Victor Ferrer surrendered to police last year.
Tolosa was abducted on July 19, 2022 and, despite payment of ransom, was killed and buried in a pit.
His remains were later exhumed and burned to ashes allegedly upon the instructions of Carlo Cadampog.
