‘Korean’ kidnappers snatch wrong man

MANILA, Philippines - A man who was snatched while driving in Quezon City on Thursday morning turned out not to be the target of his “Korean” kidnappers and was eventually released in Laguna later that day.

“The abductors were given the wrong target, even the wrong plate number,” said Chief Superintendent Richard Albano, director of the Quezon City Police District.

Albano said Dominador Buena Jr. was not the man targeted by his abductors, who looked and spoke Korean, according to the victim.

“They asked for the name of his boss and it was also a different person,” Albano said.

The victim drives for a woman physician residing in New Manila.

Buena was driving a Toyota Altis when his way was blocked by about seven men in a Toyota Grandia and a Toyota Revo along Roces Avenue at around 11 a.m.

Albano said the “HXL-579” plate number attached to the Grandia belongs to a Toyota Camry.

According to Albano, Buena heard the suspects talking about the wrong information they were fed. Eventually the victim was dropped off in Cabuyao, where he sought police assistance.

Albano said Buena emerged unscathed from the incident but was still brought to a hospital for a check-up.