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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP rescues kidnapped QC businesswoman, arrests 11 suspects in 'comedy of errors' bank withdrawal attempt

PNP rescues kidnapped QC businesswoman, arrests 11 suspects in 'comedy of errors' bank withdrawal attempt

Published Sep 12, 2025 05:24 pm
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla gives details about the rescue of a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman from her abductors during a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Sept. 12, 2025, as Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. gestures behind him. Remulla said police intercepted the victim's abductors in what officials described as a “comedy of errors” when they attempted to withdraw the ransom at a bank on Sept. 11, prompting a swift 911 emergency response from the PNP's Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG). (Courtesy of DILG)
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla gives details about the rescue of a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman from her abductors during a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Sept. 12, 2025, as Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. gestures behind him. Remulla said police intercepted the victim's abductors in what officials described as a “comedy of errors” when they attempted to withdraw the ransom at a bank on Sept. 11, prompting a swift 911 emergency response from the PNP's Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG). (Courtesy of DILG)
A 78-year-old Filipino-Chinese businesswoman who had been held captive for nine days was rescued on Thursday, Sept. 11, after police intercepted her abductors in what officials described as a “comedy of errors” when they attempted to withdraw the ransom at a bank, prompting a swift 911 emergency response from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the businesswoman was on her way home from work when she was abducted by the suspects along C3 Road in Quezon City on Sept. 2.
The victim is a widow who belongs to a wealthy family engaged in the manufacture of industrial goods.
She was held for ransom initially pegged at P150 million. The victim’s brother reported the incident to the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), prompting authorities to hatch a rescue plan.
The police tailed the suspects in Bacoor, Cavite up to a safehouse in Laurel, Batangas where the victim was held.
The PNP-AKG bought time until the kidnappers grew impatient that on Sept. 11, three suspects escorted the victim to a bank in Quezon City to withdraw P8.1 million in ransom from her personal account.
Alerted beforehand by the family, bank staff immediately contacted authorities through the newly launched 911 hotline and within two minutes, operatives from the PNP-AKG arrived, arresting the suspects on the spot and rescuing the victim unharmed.
“What happened was almost cinematic. The kidnappers were so unsophisticated they brought the victim to the bank herself to withdraw money. It was a comedy of errors but the professionalism of our police ensured a safe rescue. In less than two minutes after the call of the branch manager, our responders arrived and the kidnappers were arrested,” Remulla said in a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, Sept. 12.
Follow-up operations between Sept. 11 and 12 led to the arrest of eight more suspects, bringing the total to 11. Among those apprehended were three former servicemen: two honorably discharged Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) personnel and one dishonorably discharged Philippine Army (PA) soldier.
Police also recovered five firearms, including a long rifle, four pistols, a replica gun, and P490,000 believed to be part of the group’s operating funds.
"It seems like a very amateur job. The mere fact that they even brought the victim to bank shows that the level of their sophistication is very low. Mga tolongges (What a bunch of clumsy fools)," Remulla said.
Authorities continue to pursue other suspects believed to be involved in the kidnapping and are investigating the possibility of financiers behind the operation.
Meanwhile, the suspects will be charged with kidnapping-for-ransom.
Despite the traumatic ordeal, the victim was found in good health and has since been reunited with her family. She is undergoing psychological debriefing and counseling.
“This was purely about money, no other motive,” Remulla said. “Because of vigilance, cooperation, and the 911 system, we turned a potentially tragic story into a success.”
This year, the PNP has recorded 23 kidnapping cases nationwide, of which, 22 have already been solved including the businesswoman's case.

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PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group kidnapping DILG Jonvic Remulla
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