MANILA, April 21 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said prosecutors have secured the conviction of five individuals involved in the kidnapping-for-ransom of two minors in Quezon City 12 years ago.

In a 21-page decision dated April 8 and made public Monday, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 94 found the evidence presented by the DOJ sufficient to convict the three principals and two accomplices.

The victims, aged 10 and 15 at the time, were abducted by armed suspects while onboard a vehicle cruising along EDSA.

A nationwide alarm filed by their mother helped authorities track down the vehicle, leading to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the victims. No ransom was paid.

John Mark Tamalla, Jomel Tamalla and...