MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese man may have been the one snatched from his luxury vehicle in Malate, Manila on Thursday, a Manila Police District (MPD) official said last night.
The victim lived alone in a condominium along Roxas Boulevard, according to MPD chief Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco.
“According to our two witnesses who have given their statements, he was a businessman but it was unclear what business he is currently engaged in,” he told dzBB in an interview.
He was said to be a former financier of a Philippine offshore gaming operator firm, Francisco added.
Initial findings pointed to financial matters as the motive for the kidnapping, Francisco said.
The BMW was originally registered to Del Monte Philippines and was later bought by someone whom the company still has to name, he added.
The MPD is also gathering more evidence, particularly closed-circuit television footage, to identify the two sport utility vehicles that blocked the victim’s BMW near the Aristocrat restaurant in Malate and were driven by the alleged kidnappers, Francisco said.