Kidnap yarn stirs city; police clueless
Rumors of a kidnap for ransom (KFR) case involving a Filipino-Chinese businessman hit the city over the weekend.
With reported ransom placed at P10 million, the alleged victim is said to own and manage a lending company in the city with one of the principal suspects, a former employee who served as company driver. Belated information added the victim's male cousin as yet another accomplice.
No official confirmation was reached from the city's top cops, however, a number of intelligence sources told The News Today (TNT) that validation is underway. This, as "kidnap me"; is also being eyed with yet more information coming in from civilian tipsters.
Others tips disclosed of a ‘covert' government operation starting Thursday amidst reports that a family member or a close associate of the supposed victim left for Manila first flight Thursday and came back last flight that same day. More information also stated that the alleged victim was spotted in the Province of Antique and that request for secrecy was made pending the outcome of the negotiations with his abductors.
Sources said the alleged victim is in his mid-30s, about 5'2"; in height, slim built with short hair. He was supposedly picked up by at least three armed men minutes after he emerged from a fitness gym in the city proper.
A number of Filipino-Chinese businessmen reached for comment said word have spread on the supposed kidnapping however the reported P10 million similarly came as a surprise to the group.
Senior Supt. Renato Gumban, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regional chief expressed surprise over the report. In a chance interview Friday afternoon, he said no such flash alarm or information was received by the CIDG. However, he assured of immediate action if only to validate the report.
"We have no idea as of yet but if ever, it will be the PACER (Presidential Anti-Crime Emergency Response) who will take the lead,"; Senior Supt. Gumban added.
The alleged kidnapping was placed Wednesday however a number of city-based businessmen who gathered over the weekend told TNT that their information stated the supposed crime to have occurred Tuesday still.
One matter that City Councilor Erwin Plagata, chair of the Sangguniang Panglungsod Committee on Police Matters and Public Safety decried.
"Yes I have heard about the incident but through word of mouth only. I am trying to make official validation but as of now, all I have is the last name of the supposed victim,"; Plagata said. "Whether true or not, this is a wake-up call for the police. Their intelligence work is supposed to be preventive and pre-emptive not reactive.";
Such, as Plagata called on the city's top cops to "come out and either confirm or deny the reported kidnapping. That is their job otherwise the talks will continue and this is bad for the city and for our peace and order situation.";