Naktf eyes business rift in trader’s slay

The National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF) is eyeing business rivalry as a possible motive in the kidnapping and murder of businessman Evan Tan Jr., who was found dead in Bulacan on Thursday.

NAKTF chief and former defense secretary Angelo Reyes said a "personal grudge or business rivalry" could be the real motive behind the killing of the 29-year-old businessman.

"The theory is that it wasn’t really kidnapping for ransom," he said. "It was too fast. It had only been one day (since he was abducted) and he was killed already. A personal reason is more likely."

Reyes revealed the possible motive as President Arroyo said in a radio interview that the government is determined to stamp out kidnapping gangs.

"I am ordering the NAKTF to conduct an in-depth investigation of this report to determine if this is indeed another case of kidnap-slay, and for the public to be immediately informed of the findings," she said.

"For peace, we continue to arrest these menaces of society — drug dealers, kidnappers, terrorists and corrupt officials," she said.

Reyes said NAKTF is leaving the investigation of Tan’s murder to the police.

For their part, police investigators in Caloocan City, from where Tan was abducted, are eyeing a deeper motive in the kidnapping and murder case.

Inspector Romeo Onte, Caloocan City police investigation chief, said there is "something deeper" in the Tan case and that it was not kidnapping.

"The suspects would not kill him (Evan Tan) without any negotiation, if it was kidnapping for ransom," he said. "There’s something more sinister."

Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, Caloocan police intelligence chief, said the Bulacan police is the lead investigating team because Tan’s body was found within its jurisdiction.

"We are closely coordinating withe the Bulacan police," he said.

Tan’s brother, Eri,c talked with Onte at Caloocan police headquarters at around 11 a.m. yesterday.

However, Eric refused to answer questions from The STAR, saying that his family had advised him against discussing the murder with reporters.

"Ayaw ng pamilya namin pag-usapan ito (My family doesn’t want to talk about it)," he said.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye condemned Tan’s murder and expressed Mrs. Arroyo’s symphaties with his family.

"We condemn this violence that just took place and like other incidents of kidnapping in the past, we would bring those behind this crime to face justice," he said.

"All of the government forces led by the NAKTF would be deployed to run after the perpetrators of this heinous crime."

Tan, manager of a family-owned plastics firm, left home in Caloocan City at about 11 p.m. last Jan. 9, and failed to return.

On Jan. 13, Tan’s car, a dark blue Toyota Corolla, was found abandoned in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, a few kilometers from where his body was found. — With reports from Marichu Villanueva, Pete Laude, Jerry Botial