Indian couple, driver freed by kidnappers

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – An Indian couple engaged in the lending business and their driver were reportedly kidnapped in Quezon City last Tuesday morning but were later released in Cavite after allegedly coughing up P2 million, police said.

Chief Inspector Alex Borja, Bacoor police chief, identified the victims as Jasvir Singh, her husband Manjid Kaur and their Filipino driver, Protacio Macere.

According to a police report, the victims were cruising Luzon Avenue in Quezon City aboard their Kia car when two motorcycle-riding men clad in police uniforms flagged them down at about 8:30 a.m.

Borja said the men introduced themselves as traffic policemen and demanded the driver’s license of Macere.

They subsequently ordered the Indian couple and Macere to transfer to a van parked a few meters away from the supposed "checkpoint." At least six persons were on board the van.

Police said they traveled around Quezon City for a few hours until the kidnappers released Jasvir Singh in the Balintawak area at about 7 p.m. and was instructed to produce P2 million in exchange for the release of her husband and their driver.

At about 6:20 a.m. the following day, police found Manjid Kaur and Macere blindfolded and hogtied inside their Kia car in San Nicolas 3, Bacoor, Cavite.

Police said Jasvir Singh denied paying the P2-million ransom.

However, the Bacoor police believed otherwise. Borja said the couple probably feared that their kidnappers would retaliate if they would tell the truth.

Last Jan. 22, an Indian trader was also kidnapped in Imus, Cavite but was later released after his family reportedly paid a ransom of P900,000.

Three days later, a lechon manok trader was seized in General Mariano Alvarez town but was freed reportedly in exchange for a ransom of P500,000.

Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr., Region 4 police director, has ordered a massive manhunt for the kidnappers.