2-year-old girl rescued from kidnappers

A two year-old girl was rescued from her kidnappers yesterday after police tracked down in Quiapo, Manila her mother’s live-in partner, the alleged mastermind.

Princess Nicole Castillo was snatched last Sunday in Barangay Bangad in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija.

Acting on a tip from Evangeline Castillo, mother of Princess, police searched the known hangouts of Albert Batac, 27, Evangeline’s live-in partner.

Police nabbed Batac’s accom-plice, Victor Villanueva, 29, while receiving the P200,000 ransom at the Baliwag Transit terminal in Caloocan City yesterday afternoon.

Batac was arrested a few hours later near Isettan Department Store at the corner of Quezon Boulevard and Claro M. Recto Avenue in Manila.

After Batac and Villanueva were presented to reporters last night, President Arroyo immediately promoted to director general Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

"My order now is put the kidnappers behind bars and do it now," she told reporters at the office of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency and Response (PACER).

"Once again the police have found and rescued a citizen in need, and this has sent a strong warning to the kidnappers that, with the help of the community, no kidnapper can hide from the long arm of the law. The job can be done and the PNP is up to the challenge."

Mrs. Arroyo said the police will not stop in their campaign until all kidnappers are arrested and jailed, and charged in a competent court.

"A quick solution of this case is a solid indication of how committed our police force is," she said. "We will not rest until all the kidnappers are put behind bars."

Ebdane said appropriate charges are being readied against Batac and Villanueva.