Kidnap for ransom case rattles Nasugbu locals
Four suspects, including two Chinese nationals and two Filipinos, face charges for the kidnap for ransom of three foreign nationals in Nasugbu, Batangas last May. Authorities confirmed that the suspects are now in custody and have been formally charged before the court and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) identified the Filipino suspects as Jomar P. Ubarde and Danilo L. Abilong. Both men worked as bodyguards to the victims and surrendered to the NBI separately last week. The bureau filed complaints against them under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, relating to kidnap for ransom, and invoked the Human Security Act (Republic Act No. 9372).
Three foreign nationals freed after hefty ransom paid
Sources said the three foreign victims, whose identities remain undisclosed, were released after their families paid a ransom of $100,000. Investigators uncovered that the abduction took place at a fake checkpoint near the Kaybiang Tunnel, close to the Cavite-Batangas boundary.
The suspects disguised themselves as police officers and forcibly seized the victims under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation. The Filipino suspects later gave extrajudicial confessions detailing their involvement in the crime.
Chinese suspects lead kidnapping operation, say authorities
NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago revealed that the two Chinese suspects were previously arrested for illegal firearm possession at a police checkpoint in Bacoor, Cavite. Charges for kidnap for ransom have been filed against them before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
Col. David N. Poklay, head of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), stated, “later on we found out these two Chinese nationals ay sila po ‘yung namumuno sa grupo po kung saan po nadukot ‘yung tatlong biktima.” This means the two Chinese men led the group responsible for abducting the victims.
The PNP-AKG coordinated with the NBI after the Chinese suspects identified their Filipino accomplices. Both Chinese men remain detained at the Bacoor Municipal Police Station and have undergone inquest proceedings for violations of the country’s Immigration Law.
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