Arroyo orders NAKTF to solve Pasay kidnapping

President Arroyo ordered yesterday the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF) to take over the investigation of Wednesday’s kidnapping of a 67-year-old businesswoman in Pasay City.

"If this was a kidnap-for-ransom, the President wants NAKTF to unmask the group responsible and to bring them before the bars of justice while ensuring the safety of the victim," said Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye.

The Pasay City police has released a sketch of one of the suspected kidnappers of Dominga Chu, and several witnesses to the kidnapping have come out.

"They thought the suspects were holding the victim up, which prompted them to come to her aid when the incident happened," said Inspector Jose Mansalungan, Pasay City police investigator.

"But when they tried to get closer, the suspects fired warning shots to the air. Two bystanders, however, did not leave, which prompted the suspects to shoot them on their left thighs."

The bystanders, Pedrito Ramri and Ernesto Tolentino, were taken to the nearby Manila Sanitarium Hospital on San Juan street for treatment. They are now recovering.

Mansalungan said they tried to talk with Chu’s family, but every time they went to their house, the door was always slammed on them.

They would continue with the investigation despite the hindrances, he added.

Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo directed retired Gen. Angelo Reyes, NAKTF chief, to have his men get the kidnappers of Chu in the same way that they captured those who snatched and killed Coca-Cola executive Betti Chua Sy.

"What was done in the case of the late Betti Chua Sy must be done here – to get all the perpetrators," he said.

Police said Chu was snatched by four heavily armed men in front of the Seventh Day Adventist church along Donada street near the corner of Gil Puyat and Taft avenues in Pasay City.

Chu was walking home when a Hyundai van without license plates blocked her path, and two men got out and dragged her into the van.

Witnesses said two other men in a backup vehicle fired their automatic handguns at several bystanders to prevent any attempt to rescue the woman.

The 11 suspected kidnappers and killers of Chua Sy were charged yesterday with kidnapping with homicide before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Branch 76 of Judge Monina Zenarosa.

They are: Romeo Decallos, Ramon Demol, Ernesto Palla, Lucensio Saliente, Edith Demol-Alasel, Baby Tamayo, Rodolfo Ortoza, Cerio Macanip Jr., Gerardo Anover, Ramil Victoriano, and Mariolito Domol.

Decallos, Demol, Palla and Saliente are detained in Camp Crame, Quezon City, while Demol-Alasel and Tamayo are in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila.

Senior State Prosecutor Emilie Fe delos Santos has recommended "further" preliminary investigation on the criminal complaint against the following suspects: Zozimo Lauzon, Ramil and Ruben Artoza, Jessie Bacolbas, Alexander Aldas, Oyay Anover, Leo Garido, Fernando Nicgoo and Cesar Amado. –Marichu Villanueva, Edu Punay, Pia Lee-Brago, Nikko Dizon, Mayen Jaymalin