PNP rescues Letran student kidnapped by classmates

MANILA, Philippines — Operatives of Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group had rescued a 19-year-old student who was kidnapped by his fellow students.

In a report by The STAR, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said the AKG operatives also arrested four of the classmates who allegedly abducted the student, identified to be studying at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila.

“The AKG operatives arrested students and classmates pa ng victim (and are classmates of the victim). Seemingly, may mga (they are) young minds with criminal minds already,” Albayalde was quoted by The STAR.

PNP-AKG director Chief Superintendent Glenn Dumlao said the kidnap victim was safely rescued from the safehouse of the kidnappers located in Nava Street, Balut Tondo, Manila last Friday.

In the video of the rescue, the victim, who refused to be identified, said he was kidnapped last Wednesday, August 1, along with his classmate named Jhulius Atabay.

Reports said Atabay and the victim was waiting for a bus near Central Terminal Station of LRT-1 when they were abducted.

Atabay was reportedly immediately released hours after the supposed kidnapping and relayed to the victim’s family the kidnappers’ demand for a P30-million ransom.

Authorities said that during the interrogation, Atabay confessed that he was involved in the abduction and this led to the discovery of the safehouse.

Atabay was identified to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping after three other supposed accomplices pointed him.

The STAR said the AKG is now investigating the alleged involvement of other students believed to be behind the kidnapping.

Among the arrested students who are suspects to the kidnapping including Atabay are the following:

• Ralph Emmanuel Camaya
• Ferdinand dela Vega Jr.
• Justine Mahipus 

Meanwhile, other suspects believed to be involved in the kidnapping are still at large, these are:

• Miguel Austria 

• Eriek Candava 

• Kim Pascua 

• Billy Rocillo 

• Gabriel Rabi (Far Eastern University student)

• Arvi Velasquez (Student pilot)

The suspects would face kidnap-for-ransom charges. — Rosette Adel with a report from The STAR/Cecille Suerte Felipe