Kidnapped boy freed; 6 suspects arrested

ILOILO CITY — Six suspected kidnappers, including a former policeman, were arrested here yesterday, hours after they released their 13-year-old victim.

Chief Superintendent Marcelo Navarro Jr., Western Visayas police director, said victim Jefferson Tan, son of a prominent local businessman, was released in Mandurriao district at around 9:25 p.m. Wednesday.

Tan, 13, a freshman high school student of Iloilo Chinese Commercial High School, was kidnapped Oct. 15 just outside the Ledesco Village.

Navarro said that despite the refusal of the Tan family to cooperate with the police, the victim was released unharmed and in good condition.

He dismissed reports that a P3-million ransom was paid for the release of the victim, claiming that it was pressure from the intelligence community and the police that forced the kidnappers to free the victim.

Police arrested six suspects hours after the release of Tan.

"We are looking for three other suspects in this case," Navarro said.

Aksyon-Radyo Iloilo identified the arrested suspects as Julie Lapasaran, a former policeman; Marlon Soriosa, Ely, Bernales, Alfredo Acallar, Lenefer Bicodo, and Jeffrey Sarmiento.

Radio reports said Lapasaran was dismissed from the police service several years ago for his involvement in a bank robbery in this city.

Sarmiento said some of the six suspects were actually involved in the planning and execution of the kidnapping operation.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trinas talked to the Tan family yesterday and said the victim was fine and looked well. He also confirmed that no ransom was paid.