Businessman still missing as police readies raps vs 1st suspect
Eight days into the disappearance and reported kidnapping of businessman James Ardaña of Sibalom, Antique, police here got its major break with charges readied on at least one suspect.
Positively identified by principal witness June Ardaña as among the three purported kidnappers was Dionisio Pajarito. The victim’s townmate and resident of Barangay Nagdayao, Pajarito was apparently among the earlier suspects.
This as police investigation did focus on Pajarito’s absence in the barangay the evening and the day after of the Holy Thursday incident.
James and eldest brother June were on board a Nissan Frontier when forced to stop by crossing Aldea of Barangay Odiong late that evening. The duo was to assist a supposed motorcycle accident with one man lying in the middle of the road. It turned out to be staged though as 51 year-old James was forced out at gunpoint and later dragged into a waiting motorcycle.
Pajarito was first invited Monday by Sibalom cops for questioning. Albeit positively identified by the elder Ardaña, he was released pending corresponding charges to be filed.
Other than the Pajarito link, there are no latest solid leads for probers. Further still, local sources informed The News Today (TNT) of persisting concerns and suspicions on the circumstances leading to the businessman’s disappearance.
TNT in an interview with the victim’s brother was told that “everything” was over in barely 5 minutes, with the attackers or at least one of them armed.
Pajarito was identified as the one who gagged and tied June’s hands behind his back as the two other attackers fled with the victim on board one of the two single motorcycles serving as get-away.
His full account was reflected in the Sibalom PNP police blotter. The kidnapping, as June’s report went, occurred about 9:50 pm, minutes to the victim’s family residence. The victim was the one driving the Nissan Frontier.
June said he managed to get out of the Nissan Frontier and asked for help from passing motorists. Several saw him, he said but did not stop until Bombo Radyo Antique Correspondent Paul Petinglay drove by with wife and his brother-in-law on board two separate single motorcycles.
It was Petinglay who eventually called the police for help.
In between tears, the lone witness said his brother was kidnapped and narrated the mis-events.
Petinglay in an interview told TNT that June was inconsolable, crying and wailing for help as the police came to take-over.
A member of the Sibalom Police Force has been assigned to stay with the victim’s family pending the investigation and case follow-up. Yet TNT learned of the family’s refusal for for further police security in the family home.
The 51 year-old victim is a father of three and husband to a government worker. He stands as the most prominent and successful businessman in the Province of Antique with wide and varied family business interests.
The family is involved in rice trading, sale of farm chemicals, construction and electrical supplies, fertilizers and feeds.
The police meantime are still tying loose ends in order to come up with a solid kidnapping account and case. The Sibalom Police Office is headed by Inspector Abelardo Cabrela with help from the Antique Provincial Police Office led by Senior Superintendent Ren Darroca.
Incidentally, the victim was named respondent in a case involving a minor. Docketed as I-INV – 09-C-00051, TNT has since learned that police probers are looking into the possibility of a connection here.