Authorities said the kidnappers abandoned Ryan James Yu, 11, son of a wealthy Chinese-Filipino trader here, because of mounting pursuit operations against them.
The boy was found in a house at the Lahug Salinas Drive BC Homes. A former Ozamiz City mayor used to own the house.
The kidnappers earlier demanded a P1.5-million ransom.
Authorities said the kidnap-for-ransom syndicate apparently had a holding group here and another one in Davao City who negotiated the ransom.
Police were able to trace the negotiators’ cellular phone calls to Davao City. A dragnet was put in place, and five of the kidnappers were arrested at the airport there after a shootout.
The suspects tried to snatch the bag containing the ransom money brought there by the victim’s stepbrother. The police agents closed in and a brief firefight ensued.
Four of the five arrested suspects were identified as Roberto Galope, 46; Henry Hernandez, 33; Efren Hernandez, 39; and Edgar Manimo, 24.
Authorities here said the kidnappers were apparently "testing the waters" to pull off abductions in Cebu and other parts of Central Visayas. — Freeman News Service, Edith Regalado