Ermita police station chief says boy – a snatcher – not abducted

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — The chief of Manila’s Ermita police station on Tuesday clarified reports that a boy has been abducted along Taft Avenue, saying it was a legitimate operation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Hindi po siya dinukot kung hindi isang result of a conduct of a hot pursuit operation of the NBI,” Lt. Col. Igmedio Bernaldez told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.

Bernaldez was referring to earlier reports that a boy who was walking along Taft Avenue on Tuesday morning was suddenly accosted by a man and forced into a pick-up truck, which then sped off northbound.

READ: Boy abducted in Manila

According to Bernaldez, the boy was not a student but a snatcher, contrary to earlier reports.

“Hindi siya estudyante, Snatcher po siya, criminal,” he said.

In a report from the Ermita police station, the suspect was identified as John Paul Forbes, 24, of Tondo, Manila.

Special Investigator Pablito Keryeo, who is assigned at NBI Technical Intelligence Division, was withdrawing money at an ATM booth when Forbes snatched his necklace, the report said.

A brief chase ensued and Keryeo was able to apprehend the suspect, it added. /kga