Car abandoned in Malate; kidnapping eyed

MANILA, Philippines — Police investigators are looking into a possible kidnapping case after a luxury car was abandoned in Malate, Manila before dawn yesterday.

The BMW was left with its engine running in front of a restaurant, according to a police report.

Probers are investigating the incident as a possible kidnapping case, Manila Police District director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco told The STAR.

The nationality or identity of the victim is still unknown, Francisco said.

He said police are still interviewing witnesses and backtracking closed-circuit television footage for the possible identification of suspects.

Missing sabungeros

Meanwhile, there is no evidence that several missing cockfight enthusiasts were kidnapped in Manila, Francisco said.

He said some of the missing cockfight aficionados were seen getting off a vehicle to join a tournament at the Manila Arena.

But they were seen leaving the arena alive, Francisco added.

“Until now we have not seen evidence that they were kidnapped in the area of Manila,” he said.

On Monday, relatives of the 18 missing cockfight enthusiasts held a protest in Mendiola to ask for help from President Duterte to speed up the investigation of the incident.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has launched a probe into the disappearance of 26 cockfight aficionados in Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon.

A kin of a missing sabungero earlier told The STAR that their relatives were last seen alive in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The relative said the unexploded grenades lobbed at the Manila Arena last week may have been a diversionary tactic.