3 more Betti Sy suspects fall

To highlight the "zero-kidnapping" accomplishments, Naktaf presented to media yesterday three more suspects in the kidnap-slay of Coca-Cola executive Betti Chua Sy.

"We are pleased to announce the arrest of the kidnap-for-ransom (suspects) and we are pleased to present them to you," Reyes said.

Sy was abducted by heavily armed men on her way to work on Nov. 17 in Quezon City. Her body was found stuffed inside a garbage bag along the seafront in Parañaque City the following day.

Reyes identified the three suspects as Lucienco Saliente, Fernando Niegos and Franco Artoza. Artosa was the latest suspect to be captured by Naktaf agents in Leyte. His arrest last Sunday came after police picked up Niegos on New Year’s Day, also in Leyte.

Their arrest brought the total to six suspects in the kidnap-slay of the Coca-Cola Export Corp. finance manager.

Police arrested three suspects less than 48 hours after Sy’s body was found at a Parañaque City roadside on Nov. 20. Ramon Dimol, Ernesto Palla and Romeo Vallano were arrested in their hideout in Trece Martires City in Cavite.

Reyes said the three suspects presented are all active members of the Waray-Waray kidnapping group tagged behind the spate of kidnappings in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the past months. "We are now pursuing further leads that he have obtained as a result of this arrest that will eventually result into more arrests, not only the Betti Sy case but in other kidnapping cases," he said.

Sy’s abduction highlighted the upsurge of kidnapping cases in Metro Manila in recent months which prompted President Arroyo to implement tighter security measures.

The President revived the Naktaf to carry out a vigorous crackdown on high-profile crime following a resurgence of kidnap-for-ransom cases victimizing mostly Chinese-Filipinos.

Public demand for tougher measures against kidnapping also prompted Mrs. Arroyo to lift the moratorium on the implementation of death penalty with a clear directive to execute convicted kidnappers.

Checkpoints have been set up in various parts of Metro Manila which had been a "resounding success."

The results had been encouraging, Reyes said that Mrs. Arroyo issued directives to expand checkpoints to nearby provinces.

Reyes noted the checkpoints also prevented other crimes from bank robberies to petty thefts and snatchings.

"Since Dec. 8, when we have started the checkpoints and the policemen and the military pounding the pavements, pounding the beat, walang (no) kidnapping cases (occurred)," Reyes said.