Police official to be quizzed on kidnapped Sino's release

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – A police general is in hot water as the city council has invited him to shed light on his alleged participation in negotiations that led to the release of one of two kidnapped Chinese nationals.

The councilors were disturbed over a report that an official of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) was present in the payoff in a local hotel despite the government’s strict no-ransom policy.

The report prompted the city council to approve a resolution filed by Councilor Melchor Sadain asking DIPO director Manuel Barcena, along with Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles and officials of Barangay Arena Blanco, to clarify the reported negotiations in the hotel.

According to police reports, Chinese trader Jian Luo, 43, alias James Luo, was released before dawn in Barangay Arena Blanco last Sunday. 

However, Jian’s release was not indicated in the police journal for unknown reasons.

Minutes after Jian’s release though, a text message about the development, believed to be a police encoded message, circulated.

The text message read: “Sir for info: release of a Chinese KV (kidnap victim) on or about 252300H Aug ’12, a secret negotiation took place at…hotel between unidentified emissaries of the kidnappers of 2 Chinese kidnap victims and certain Andy Que, mediator of the victims with DIPO…”

According to the message, P5 million was paid as ransom and delivered by Que at the parking lot of the hotel. The money was then picked up by two unidentified men aboard a motorcycle.

Jian was recovered and brought to the parking lot where he was escorted to a room at the hotel in the alleged presence of a DIPO official.

“We are not against or questioning the release of the victim but the disturbing information is why the negotiations took place in a hotel with the police official despite the government’s no-ransom policy,” Sadain said in a radio interview.

Jian and compatriot Yuankai Lin, who were engaged in trading mineral ore, were snatched last June 4 in Barangay F.L Peña, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Barcena declined to answer queries on Jian’s release, saying he has not received the official report.