Ex-cop sought for abducting, robbing Korean

MANILA, Philippines—A former police officer assigned to the Manila Police District is suspected of abducting and robbing a Korean national Monday morning in Malate, Manila.

Eduardo Cayabyab, 40, who was terminated from the MPD’s mobile patrol unit around three years ago after repeated cases of hold-up and theft, is the primary suspect in the abduction and robbery of Young Doo Kim, 44, a Korean tourist.

Kim was walking along Adriatico Street in Malate, Manila, at 11 a.m., on Monday, when a gray sport utility vehicle (SUV) pulled up beside him, from which Cayabyab and a still unidentified man got out of.

Based on Kim’s account of the crime, Cayabyab, who was wearing a police uniform, accused him of violating the city’s law against smoking in public. Cayabyab then abruptly dragged Kim inside the Mistubishi Adventure. Cayabyab and the man drove to Taft Avenue with Kim trapped in the vehicle.

The suspects combed through Kim’s belongings and took P1,000 in cash from his wallet. As they approached the corner of Quirino Avenue, Kim escaped from his abductors, getting out of the vehicle once they were caught in traffic. Kim immediately sought the assistance of police officers at a nearby checkpoint, who tried to chase after the suspects but were unable to apprehend them.

A report issued by Police Chief Inspector Arsenio Manuel Riparip, MPD General Assignment Section chief stated that Kim was able to identify Cayabyab from a gallery of suspects at the MPD.

Jackie Villamor, a 30-year-old taxi driver who was plying Adriatico Street near Victoria Hotel in Malate witnessed Kim’s abduction. The left side of his vehicle was hit by the suspects’ SUV as they were fleeing the scene of the crime.

Another taxi driver, Raul Arichaval, 42, whose cab was also hit by the suspects’ vehicle along Quirino Avenue, chased after the suspects until he lost sight of them on Osmeña Highway. However, Arichaval was able to identify the SUV’s conduction sticker number as BZ 2640.

Police are still investigating the identity of Cayabyab’s companion and their whereabouts. Cayabyab is a resident of Dalisay Street in Brgy. Plainview, Mandaluyong City.

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