8 nabbed for Malaysian businessman's kidnap

MANILA, Philippines -  Eight persons were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a Malaysian businessman in Malabon City Sunday afternoon, police said yesterday.

Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said Eric Sim Chin Tong, who owns a metal recycling business in Malabon City, was taken by four armed men Sunday afternoon at his warehouse after showing him a warrant of arrest. Rongavilla said they checked with the Quezon City court and found the warrant was fictitious.

The suspects, including the alleged mastermind, were arrested in follow-up operations in Ermita, Manila and Bulacan province by MPD police officers, according to National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Nicanor Bartolome.

In a press conference at the Ermita police station yesterday, Bartolome identified the suspects as Marlon Lopera, 31, the alleged mastermind; the victim’s live-in partner, Joana Ballesteros, 20, and her brother Francis, 27; Edel Macalinao, 36, the victim’s personal secretary; Felizardo Gutierrez, 44; Rolando Manuzon Jr., 29, and cousin Bernardo Manuzon, 36; and a 17-year-old out-of-school youth.

“It seems the suspects are amateurs, but we are still validating their involvement in other kidnappings,” Bartolome told reporters.

Tong said he was brought to an undisclosed place where he was instructed to call his secretary, Macalinao, to prepare $1.5 million as ransom. After being told by his secretary that they do not have that amount, the ransom was lowered to P16.5 million.

Tong was also instructed to call his bank to release P16.5 million to Macalinao. His kidnappers moved him constantly until they dropped him off in Intramuros, Manila Monday night. The victim sought assistance from residents, who brought him to the police station. He also called his secretary and his live-in partner to fetch him at the police station.

However, Ermita police station chief Superintendent Felipe Cazon Jr. sensed something fishy with the statements of the two women, who admitted their participation in the kidnapping during tactical interrogation.

The two women said the mastermind of the kidnapping was Lopera, who was then billeted at the Riviera Mansion along Mabini street in Ermita.

Police officers surprised Lopera in his hotel room, where they found a suitcase containing P4.2 million in bundles of P500 and P1,000 bills, a .9mm caliber pistol and two loaded magazines as well as several cell phones. “The phones were used in the transactions for ransom payment,” Cazon said.

Lopera led Manila policemen to the hideout of the other suspects in San Miguel, Bulacan.

Rongavilla said he has launched a manhunt for the other members of the group who reportedly have the rest of the ransom.

 “I am proud of the efficiency of the Manila policemen for their quick solution of this kidnapping case,” Bartolome said.

Tong clapped his hands during the press conference as a sign of appreciation for the Manila policemen. “I am proud of you (Manila policemen), which even motivates me to continue doing business in your country,” he said. – With Sandy Araneta