Philippine National Police - Anti-Kidnapping Group and Alpha Tolosa Serranilla versus Carlo Cadampog y Gonzales, Cesar Cadampog y Gonzales, David Gundran, Jr. y Zulueta, John Benedict Dumalanta y Veral, Melvin Andes y Leonor, Melchor Andes y Punzal, Victor Ferrer y Ragodon, Adriane Joseph Mendez y Lleva a.k.a. “AJ”, Richmel Riel Ignilan y Peralta a.k.a. “Bay”, Jomel Vizcarra y Quines, Aldrin Antonio/Norman Antonio a.k.a. “Tomtom” (NPS Docket No. XVI-INV-22I-00344)
In a Resolution released on February 14, 2023, the following respondents were indicted for Kidnapping for Ransom with Murder under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended:
1. As Principals
a. Carlo Cadampog y Gonzales
b. Cesar Cadampog y Gonzales
c. Adrian Joseph Mendez y Lleva a.k.a. “AJ”
d. Richmel Riel Ignilan y Peralta a.k.a. “Bay”
e. Jomel Vizcarra y Quines
f. Aldrin Antonio/Norman Antonio a.k.a. “Tomtom”
2. As Accomplices
a. John Benedict Dumalanta y Veral
b. Victor Ferrer y Ragodon
3. As Accessories
a. David Gundran, Jr. y Zulueta
b. Melvin Andes y Leonor
On July 19, 2022, Eduardo Tolosa (Tolosa), a businessman and owner of Iraseth Pharma Inc. was abducted and murdered by respondents led by Carlo Cadampog. Ransom money was demanded for his release but after handing over US$ 102,700, EURO 2,800, SGD 186, a Rolex watch and a Hublot watch to Carlo Cadampog, Tolosa was killed that day in Barangay San Juan, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas. Tolosa’s body was buried in a pit dug by respondents John Benedict Dumalanta, Melvin Andes and Victor Ferrer. On July 28, 2022, respondents David Gundran, Jr. and Melvin Andes exhumed Tolosa’s body and burned him to ashes upon the instructions of Carlo Cadampog.
Thereafter, respondents John Benedict Dumalanta, David Gundran, Jr., Melvin Andes, Melchor Andes and Victor Ferrer voluntarily surrendered to the PNP-AKG at Camp Crame where they prepared and executed their respective extra-judicial confessions.
After evaluation of the evidence, the Panel of Prosecutors found sufficient evidence to hold respondents, save for Melchor Andes, a minor, for trial. The indictment of respondents for kidnapping for ransom with murder is not only grounded on the extra-judicial 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 footages and testimonies of other witnesses who corroborated on the plan of Carlo Cadampog to abduct and exact money from Tolosa.
A criminal information against all respondents, except for Melchor Andes, a minor, will be filed at the Regional Trial Court of Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
