Slain Capiz trader, wife are not kidnappers, say relatives

DUMALAG, Capiz — There was no kidnapping and the supposed ransom was just a payment for a debt.

This was stressed by relatives of local businessman Dindo Salazar who was shot dead by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents and Army soldiers during the "rescue" last Wednesday of Manila-based doctor Madelyn Erada.

Also killed during the shootout were Erada’s sister Perla Pasuquin and Pfc. Genet Bacanto.

Dumalag Mayor Ricardo Castro Jr. said Salazar, a cousin of his, and his wife Marivic are "business people" who "could not do such things like this kidnapping."

"There might be misunderstanding in the operation," Castro said.

Erada claimed that the Salazars forced her to go with them to Iloilo while she accompanied her son to the Manila Domestic Airport last May 9.

Reports said Erada had bought jewelry from the couple and that she had accumulated a debt of more than P100,000.

Another relative of Salazar said the couple had no motive to kidnap Erada, except to get what she probably owed them, and that the payment was mistaken to be a payoff.

Pasuquin, accompanied by an NBI agent who posed as Erada’s son, went to the Salazars’ house Wednesday for the supposed payoff. But Salazar, noticing the presence of armed men, shot Pasuquin in the head, triggering the shootout, the NBI said.

But a Dumalag councilor, also a relative of Salazar, said, "He (Salazar) might have been confused at the time, having seen unfamiliar faces. He used his licensed gun for self-defense."

Castro lamented that the NBI failed to coordinate its operation with local authorities. "Who is to blame for the death of Dindo? I feel sad that this happened in our peaceful town," he said.

Salazar’s son, Dindo Miguel Martin, also denied that his parents were kidnappers.

Salazar’s wife Marivic has been released to the custody of Castro.