Kidnapped car sales executive's kin appeal for his release

MANILA, Philippines –  The family of a car sales manager reportedly abducted in Quezon City Thursday is appealing that he be set free.

Arsenio Evangelista, father of Venson Evangelista, 30, said his son was taken by at least four men when he accompanied two potential buyers for a test drive of a 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser at about 4 p.m. along Sgt. Juan Catolos street in Cubao. The sport utility vehicle (SUV) belongs to the elder Evangelista, which the victim had been helping to sell.

Arsenio has asked his son’s kidnappers to free him in exchange for the Cruiser, valued at over P3 million. “My son’s safety is of utmost importance, his children, the entire family are waiting for his return. I appeal to the suspects to release my son and just keep the car,” he said.

The victim was described to be a long-haired, fair-skinned man about 5’8” tall and of medium build.

Arsenio said his son met two of the kidnappers at their Cubao house. One of the suspects introduced himself as the buyer while the other said he was a mechanic, he said.

Arsenio said his son then accompanied the two men on a test drive of the SUV (NAI-316). He said witnesses later saw his son and the two men struggling inside the SUV before it sped off towards EDSA.

According to Arsenio, they tried to call his son’s mobile phone but it had been turned off. He said they have not received any ransom demand from Venson’s kidnappers.

Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, commander of Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response, the anti-kidnapping arm of the Philippine National Police, said Venson, “is considered as a missing person as there was no demand for ransom. There was also no contact made with his family. It appears that the suspects were just interested in the car that he was selling. But we are also looking into the other possible motives.”