Cabbie arrested for staging 'kidnapping'

CEBU, Philippines - A taxicab driver was nabbed by police last night outside of a mall in the midtown Cebu City area for allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend who was later found to be the wife of an Australian national.

The suspect was identified as Jimmy Amen, 31, of Catarman, Northern Samar but currently a resident of sitio Villagonzalo I, barangay Tejero while his girlfriend was identified as Carin Kenny, 32, of Urgello Street, barangay Sambag I. Carin is the wife of Australian complainant, Sean Paul Kenny, 41.

A .357 caliber revolver with two live bullets, drug paraphernalia, a digital camera, and a mobile phone used in establishing contact with Sean Paul were confiscated from Amen’s possession.

Despite the threats of the ‘kidnapper’, Sean Paul, sought the help of the Police Regional Office-7 on the alleged ransom demand worth P15,000 for the safe return of his wife.

The Cebu City Police Office led by Chief Insp. George Ylanan set an entrapment outside an uptown mall where Amen and Carin were arrested at 11 p.m. while an alleged cohort was able to elude arrest.

But in an interview with reporters, Amen denied the accusations. He, however, admitted that he has an affair with Carin for about six months already but that he got no idea, until yesterday, that the woman was already married. He said that it was only Carin who kept on sending messages to Sean Paul.

Carin, who also admitted of the illicit affair with Amen, denied her participation in the alleged kidnapping. She said she only sent a message to her husband asking from him a certain amount to settle a debt, but she was shocked when police arrested them.

She said she instructed someone to get the money. She went to Amen’s residence (the house of his aunt) that night to have him accompany her in paying the said debt.

But Ylanan borrowed the cell phone of Sean Paul and showed to the media one of the many messages sent by the ‘kidnapper.’

The text message read: “Sori friend, you can’t see ur wife we will torteor her. Just send her credits to us of P15,000 or not see, hear your wife. Sorry if we do it in your wife. She is crying now. Deal or no deal. No time must do if you love your Carin.”

The said message was sent at 9:10 p.m. using Carin’s cellphone.

CCPO director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Jr. said they are studying the possibility of filing a case for swindling against Carin. They will also charge her for adultery if the Australian decides so, though Sean Paul said he has already forgiven her.

Sean Paul, who said he already had suspicions of the alleged illicit affair, said he will push for his and Carin’s plan to go to Australia together with their six-month-old baby for good, while charges for illegal possession of firearms and extortion will be filed against Amen. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV(THE FREEMAN)