Cop shot to death by bizman he kidnapped

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Investigators are still puzzled over a complicated case involving the alleged kidnapping of a Baguio businessman and the killing of the alleged kidnapper, who was later identified a member of the Cordillera Highway Patrol Group.

Initial police investigation showed Mark Trinidad, proprietor of Trinity Communications, was kidnapped last April 29 while he was reportedly talking with the supposed kidnapper who had claimed someone was interested in buying the former’s Toyota Inova vehicle with license plate number XSW 249.

The kidnapping supposedly happened when Trinidad and the alleged kidnapper identified as PO3 Adamson Basalong Atinyao Jr., who was assigned at the Cordillera HPG, were test-driving along Longlong-Tamawan Road.

Trinidad said while he was inside the vehicle with Atinyao, the latter introduced himself as a policeman, handcuffed him, and ordered him to call his wife to deliver a ransom of P1 million.

Later, the victim was able to contact his wife through his mobile phone before Atinyao drove the vehicle to Solibao Restaurant in Burnham Park where Trinidad talked with his wife, Maria Amparo.

The couple allegedly told Atinyao they could not raise the ransom which was initially negotiated to be reduced to P500,000 and finally to P300,000.

Atinyao reportedly ordered Trinidad’s wife not to seek police assistance and wait for further instructions from him where to deliver the money.

Trinidad and Atinyao reportedly stayed at an undisclosed place in La Trinidad, Benguet while waiting for the ransom to be delivered by Maria.

On April 30, Atinyao reportedly located the key of Trinidad’s other car, a Toyota Revo, which was driven by his male employee to a supermarket on Bokawkan Road, where it was driven away by a supposed cohort of the suspect.

After Trinidad’s other car was driven away, his wife was ordered to meet the alleged kidnapper in the compound of a school in Barangay Guisad where the ransom was to be delivered.

Maria proceeded to the place, carrying with her the P300,000 ransom and her husband’s firearm.

Atinyao then ordered her to board the Inova vehicle in which she sat beside her husband at the back seat.

After Atinyao reportedly got the ransom, he pointed his gun at the couple several times.
This allegedly prompted the businessman to draw his firearm hidden behind his wife. He then shot the policeman at the back.

Commotion ensued in the car before Atinyao was again hit by a bullet in the neck. This resulted in his instant death.

Trinidad’s lawyer, Jose Adrian Bonifacio, expressed confidence that there will be no whitewash in the investigation on the death of the policeman.