‘Rented’ van used in foiled abduction

MANILA, Philippines—Police are looking for two men who rented the white van that was used in what was believed to be an attempt to kidnap a 13-year-old male student in Quiapo, Manila, on Nov. 27.

Members of the Manila Police District’s Anti-Carnapping Unit (MPD-Ancar) tracked down the Nissan Urvan (WOW 232) when they went to the house of the owner, Dioly Ricarte, 54, in Silang, Cavite province, on Wednesday afternoon. The vehicle, which was being rented out by her son, Joeberth, was voluntarily turned over to the police.

PO2 Ryan Paculan of the MPD-Ancar said that Joeberth told them that the van was rented by two men, one of them his friend, on Nov. 27. The police withheld the men’s identities.

According to Joeberth, his friend said they would be taking the van to Quiapo. The vehicle was returned to the Ricartes before midnight.

Paculan said the Ricartes tried to turn over the van to the Cavite police on Tuesday after they watched a news report about its involvement in the foiled kidnap try. They were told, however, to surrender it to the MPD. Annelle Tayao-Juego