Kidnapped businessman saved; 3 suspects caught
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MANILA, Philippines — Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a businessman in Mandaluyong City while a search is ongoing for the supposed mastermind, the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) of the Philippine National Police said on Wednesday.
“The victim is now safe and reunited with his family. Three suspects were arrested during the police operation: Tristan Primavera Menor, Alvin Grijaldo Bandong and Mark Dionie Alyes,” PNP-AKG director Brig. Gen. Glicerio Cansilao told reporters in Camp Crame.
According to him, police operatives tracked down the suspects to a house inside a gated village in Quezon City on Feb. 16.
They rescued the victim and recovered the P4 million in cash paid by his family as ransom, as well as a vehicle used by the suspects.
‘Brains’ still at large
Cansilao said the alleged mastermind remains at large, although he declined to say how many more suspects the police are looking for.
Asked whether the home in which the victim was found belonged to any of the suspects, Cansilao answered, “The owner is someone else. It is registered in the names of different people. The suspects kept moving to different hideouts.”
The businessman, whom the AKG director chose not to identify, was allegedly kidnapped by the suspects in Mandaluyong City on Feb. 12.
“The victim owns some establishments in the area, so it was his habit to go around and check these. While he was on the road, the suspects waited for him and blocked his path,” Cansilao explained. He declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
The victim’s family reported him missing to the police on Feb. 13. They received a message on Feb. 16 from his captors, who demanded P50 million for his release.
According to Cansilao, the family paid an initial amount of P250,000 using electronic wallets.
They then offered the kidnappers P4 million in cash, which the suspects accepted.
Cansilao said they have yet to determine why the suspects took the P4 million offer when their initial demand was P50 million. /cb
