Bar owner nabbed for alleged illegal detention of business partner

MANILA, Philippines — A bar owner was arrested for allegedly robbing, assaulting, hogtying and holding his British business partner captive in a condominium in Makati City.

Gareth Roberts, 42, was rescued on Sunday after allegedly being detained by Randy Domingo, 36, since 2 p.m. on Saturday in a condominium unit in Barangay Bel-Air, according to Chief Insp. Gideon Ines Jr., deputy chief for operations of the Makati City Police Station.

Roberts and Domingo are co-owners of a bar in Makati.

Police were able to rescue Roberts and arrest Domingo after Jose Tabor Jr., friend of both the victim and the suspect, sought police assistance.

The case involves serious illegal detention, robbery with violence against or intimidation of a person.

Roberts accused of illegally detaining him and hogtying him with his mouth and eyes covered.

Investigators also learned that Domingo demanded that Roberts surrender his ATM card, threatening him a pellet gun and knife.

According to police, Domingo tried to withdraw around P600,000 from Roberts’ account but was unable to do so due to the bank’s security.

Police seized the pellet gun and a knife allegedly used against Roberts in Domingo’s condo unit.

Doming was detained at the Makati City Police Station. /atm