MANILA — Five individuals were convicted by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for the kidnapping for ransom of two minors in Quezon City in 2013.

In a statement, the Department of Justice secured the conviction of John Mark Tamalla, Jomel Tamalla, and Bernard Pating who were found guilty of kidnapping for ransom and sentenced to reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole.

The DOJ also said Ma. Theresa Licay and Ma. Andrea Branzuela were convicted as accomplices and sentenced to imprisonment of 10 to 17 years.

They were also ordered to jointly and severally pay the victims ₱100,000 each in civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages.

The DOJ said that in the decision of Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria, the court found the evidence presented by the prosecution sufficient to convict the three as principals and the two others as accomplices.

“This conviction shows that the DOJ prosecution service continues to function effectively, even in complex cases. Our prosecutors remain focused on building strong cases and holding perpetrators accountable,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

The prosecution was handled by Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas and Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Angelo P. Yanga.

The DOJ noted that the victims, who were then aged 10 and 15, were abducted by armed men while onboard a vehicle travelling on EDSA.

A nationwide alarm filed by their mother helped authorities track down the vehicle in a related carnapping case, eventually leading to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the victims without ransom paid.

The case against Resty Branzuela was dismissed due to his death while accused Rogel Domingo, Jr. and Ephraim John Evangelista remain at large.

“This outcome reinforces the importance of thorough investigation and sustained case build up,” Remulla said.