A closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage caught a horrifying kidnapping attempt of a Chinese national by his fellowmen along the Metro Manila Skyway in Paranaque City last month.
In the 30-second CCTV footage, a private vehicle was seen as it suddenly stopped along a busy road. At least three men in black clothing alighted from the vehicle and attempted to open the door of second vehicle that was forced to stop behind them. Two more vehicles had to hit the brakes due to the commotion that ensued.
The video had a date and time stamp of August 21, 2022; 4:18 p.m.
The Manila Bulletin got hold of the CCTV footage on Friday, Sept. 9. It was then showed to Police Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, for verification of the details.
Alba, in a message, confirmed that the kidnapping attempt was “already solved,” citing the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
A spot report obtained by the Manila Bulletin from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) stated that the kidnapping try happened in front of the Pearl Plaza Building in Brgy. Tambo around 1 p.m. of Aug. 21.
The victim was identified by the police but this reporter would only call him as a 28-year-old man to protect his identity.
According to the report, the victim was traveling onboard a private vehicle when he was suddenly mauled and forced by his abductors to go with them in a metallic silver Toyota Hi-Ace van bearing plate number CAF 7100.
It was not seen in the video but the police said that the driver of the van, a 42-year old man from Bulacan (identity also withheld for security reasons), called for help from an on-duty security guard of the Pearl Plaza Building.
It was not immediately clear why the driver of the van where the suspect was supposed to be carried, appeared to help the victim.
The police report said two suspects were arrested by the responding security guard. They were identified as alias Da Niu and A Si, and both were under police custody at the Tambo Police Station.
The suspects’ complete names were not indicated in the police report since they refused to present their passport, the police said.
“This case was already solved,” echoed Police Lt. Col. Dexter Versola, NCRPO spokesperson.
The NCRPO said a kidnapping charge had been filed against the suspects before the Paranaque City Prosecutor’s Office.
Based on the records of the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group, there were 27 kidnapping incidents from January to August this year, mostly victimizing Filipino-Chinese.
The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FCCCI) claimed more than that: 56 incidents within the last 10 days.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, PNP deputy chief for administration, said only one kidnapping case in their own monitoring remains unsolved.
He shared that the victims of kidnapping incidents this 2022 include 23 Chinese and Filipino-Chinese, eight Filipinos, and one Vietnamese-Chinese.
In 2021, there were a total of 44 kidnapping victims per PNP’s record: 34 Chinese, one Filipino-Chinese, seven Filipinos, and two Vietnamese.
“Most of the victims are related to POGO operations. As law enforcers, we want to implement our mandate and the guidance of the President to keep our streets safe so that the people can freely walk around. We will see to it that the criminals will be arrested,” Malayo said.