Indian rescued; kidnap gang yields ‘PNP’-marked pistol

THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation said it had busted a bigtime kidnap-for-ransom syndicate with the rescue of an Indian national and the arrest of his four abductors Thursday night.

The arrested suspects, who demanded a P20-million ransom, included two more Indians, a Pakistani and a Filipino. They are believed to have links to the police or military since they yielded a pistol with a “Philippine National Police” marking, according to the bureau.

In a press conference on Friday, NBI Director Virgilio Mendez presented Juhar Singh, the “tortured” kidnap victim. The Indian declined to speak to reporters but showed the red marks on his wrists and chest.

The businessman was handcuffed to the steel bars of a window and his feet were chained when found by NBI agents inside a house in Cabuyao, Laguna province, the official said.

On Sept. 25, Singh was abducted in broad daylight on Edison Street, Barangay San Isidro, Makati City, and was forced by a group of men into a white van, the NBI said.

The victim’s family contacted the NBI and helped set a trap by “agreeing” to pay the ransom, according to Max Salvador, director of NBI-National Capital Region, the unit that conducted the rescue operation.

Four suspects were arrested at the house where the agents found Singh.

Salvador identified them as Ahmed Chaudry, a Pakistani who allegedly masterminded the kidnapping; Indian nationals Joshi Tarun and Pradeem Kumar Sharma; and Jimmy Cortez Isetan, Chaudry’s brother-in-law.

“They target their compatriots apparently with the help of ex-police and military men,” Salvador said, noting that Singh’s abduction had the mark of “professionals.” One of their past victims was a man who paid P4 million for his release, he added.

Among the items seized from the suspects was a 9-mm Berreta pistol with a PNP marking and serial number G41461Z. But Mendez explained that “we are still investigating how such a firearm ended in the suspects’ possession; it does not automatically mean that a policeman is involved.”

An NBI investigator, who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak to the media, said Singh was the group’s sixth abductee and that one of the earlier victims was still missing.

Mendez said the syndicate operated mainly in Cavite and nearby towns and cities.