By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
Police rescued a 59-year-old businessman and arrested three suspects, including the victim’s cousin—an AWOL police officer—who was the alleged mastermind, following a tense kidnapping in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, on Monday, January 26.
The police officer, 49, was intercepted in San Miguel, Bulacan, around 5:52 p.m. while allegedly attempting to sell the victim’s stolen cellphone.
His arrest capped a day-long pursuit that began when the businessman was abducted at gunpoint outside his warehouse in Barangay Kapitan Pepe at 7:52 a.m.
Investigators said the suspects forced the victim into his red Toyota pickup truck and fled south, later demanding ₱5 million in ransom.
Their reckless escape through Barangay Bakod Bayan caused a hit-and-run that injured two civilians, prompting residents to hurl stones at the getaway vehicle before it was abandoned with a flat tire.
The injured civilians were rushed to hospital.
The victim was recovered safely less than 10 hours later in Amorville, Purok 1, Barangay Bakod Bayan.
Follow-up operations led to the arrest of two other suspects: a 34-year-old man from Barangay Barrera, Cabanatuan City, and a 27-year-old man from Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Criminal complaints for kidnapping under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code are being prepared against all three.
Police Col. Heryl “Daguit” L. Bruno, director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPO), personally led the operation and praised the swift coordination of all units involved, including Cabanatuan City Police, Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st Mobile Force Company, San Miguel, and Palayan Police.
“The knowledge and authority gained from police service are meant to protect the public—not to be exploited for crime,” Bruno said.
