Korean, pal arrested in kidnap case

Police arrested yesterday a Korean national and his partner for kidnapping a 49-year-old Korean businessman Sunday night in a restaurant in Quezon City.

Suspects Park Sang Ho, 33, of 24-B North Xavierville Subdivision, Loyola Heights, and Marcelino Ramos, 37, of 18-D Bulacan St., La Loma, are now detained at the Central Police District headquarters awaiting proper charges.

Victim Chang Woo, businessman, of 1165 Lola Taya Annex Building, Quezon Avenue, was released by his abductors after he paid P1.2 million in ransom.

The alleged kidnappers were apprehended at their respective hideouts in Quezon City. Recovered from them was their getaway car, a Honda Civic (UJC-815), P50,000 in cash, and a Nokia 8210, which investigators believe was used in negotiating the ransom.

Initial investigations showed that the incident occurred at about 7 p.m. Sunday night in front of Silla Restaurant on Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

Woo, who was alone at the time, was just about to enter his car when the two men, armed with bladed weapons, appeared from behind and forced the victim into their car. Ho and Ramos blindfolded the victim and took him all the way to Tagaytay City were he was threatened with death if he did not cough up P2 million in ransom.

Woo pleaded with the suspects and promised to get them the money early the next morning. The suspects brought him back to Quezon City, and locked him up in a karaoke bar on West Avenue.

After some negotiations, the victim issued a check for P1.2 million to the suspects. Ramos cashed the check at the Metro Bank Timog Branch. After they got the money, Woo was set free.

Sleuthing by Central Police District operatives led to the arrest of the two kidnappers two days after the incident.

Meanwhile, a 25-year-old laborer was buried alive and his foreman was seriously injured after an excavation they were digging collapsed on them during the construction of a Chinese businessman’s house the other day in Quezon City.

Victim Teddy Noveda, a resident of 540 Purok 2, Sucat, Muntinlupa City, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Rizal Medical Center.

Noveda’s foreman, Jesus Llamoso, suffered head and body injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment at the same hospital. A co-worker, Guido Euson, was able to escape harm. – Matthew Estabillo and Jaime Laude

Investigation showed that the incident took place at about 4:20 p.m. at the house of William Ong How at 25 Ocampo st., Corinthian Gardens, Quezon City. Noveda, Llamoso, and Euson, were digging the deep excavation when a portion suddenly collapsed, trapping Noveda inside under soil and rocks. – Matthew Estabillo and Jaime Laude