NBI rescues kidnapped boy at Manila mall

MANILA, Philippines - A seven-year-old boy was rescued by National Bureau of Investigation agents from two of his alleged kidnappers, who had taken him to a mall in Manila to get the ransom they demanded be sent through a money remittance outlet on Dec. 14, the NBI said yesterday.

In a report, NBI Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas identified the arrested suspects as Ronel Santiago, alias Bryan Santos; and Rona Sabroso Gador.

The NBI’s National Capital Region office said that it received a complaint from the victim’s mother on Dec. 14. She told investigators that her son, “JC,” was taken from their house in Marilao, Bulacan the day before.

The kidnapper is allegedly a friend of the victim’s father who introduced himself as Kuya Jason, the NBI said. The kidnapper demanded P20,000 for the release of her son, and threatened that the boy would be killed if he is not paid, the mother said.

The NBI said the mother showed several text messages between her and the kidnapper, who said the ransom should be sent through a remittance firm to Bryan Santos.

The NBI sent informants to monitor branches of the remittance firm within the Metro Manila area to identify the person who would claim the money.

On the night of Dec. 14, an informant called the NBI and said he saw a boy resembling the victim in the company of a man and a woman who entered a remittance outlet in the Odeon Mall in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

NBI agents rescued the boy and arrested the two suspects after they received the money. Agents confiscated a postal identification card in the name of Bryan Santos, a receipt from the remittance outlet and a cell phone containing messages to and from the victim’s mother.

The two suspects were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Manila prosecutor’s office on Dec. 15, the NBI said.