NBI arrests Singaporean

A Singapore national was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation for the alleged failed kidnapping attempt on his two fellow countrymen.

NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco identified the arrested suspect as William Chee Hong Leung.

Investigation conducted by the NBI’s Special Task Force headed by Max Salvador showed that Singaporeans Jimmy Chua and Foo Jong King arrived in Manila from Singapore last April 26.

After they arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Chua and Foo were allegedly met by Leung, a certain Antonio Ramos and Rey, their driver.

According to investigation, Chua and Foo were driven to the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City by Ramos where they were billeted. While in the hotel, they were in the company of Ramos, the NBI said.

Later, Leung allegedly called Ramos by cellular phone and told him that they will be kidnapping the two Singaporeans for ransom.

However, Ramos allegedly did not go along with the plan and disclosed the planned kidnapping to Chua and Foo who immediately fled the country.

But before leaving the Philippines, the two would-be victims sought the assistance of the Singapore Embassy and the NBI who immediately laid plans to arrest the suspects.

Leung, who was apparently unaware that his two-would be victims had fled the country, contacted William Chua, the manager of the company Chua and Foo worked for and demanded $50,000 for their release.

In the afternoon of April 30, Leung was arrested by STF agents while allegedly withdrawing the ransom cash at the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) branch in Binondo, Manila.

According to the NBI, Leung had also earlier tried to kidnap for ransom Toh Thiam Hock, another Singapore national. The plan, however, was aborted after Angelo Gilbuena, nephew of suspect Ramos revealed the plan.

NBI agents are now tracking down the other suspects as robbery and extortion charges are now being readied against Leung who is now detained at the NBI jail.

Meanwhile, a man went amuck and stabbed dead his landlord who cut off his electrical supply for his failure to pay his bill in Las Piñas City last Wednesday.

Suspect Alvin Rombaua, 27, construction worker, staying at a boardinghouse along Rosas street, San Antonio Valley 17, Talon 4, Las Piñas City, is now being hunted by the authorities.

His landlord, Romulo Salcedo was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Perpetual Help Hospital where he was taken after the stabbing.

Police Officer 3 Aristotle Raquion, case investigator, said the incident occurred at around 6 p.m. in front of the victim’s house.

It was learned that Rombaua had confronted Salcedo regarding the cutting of his electricity, resulting to great inconvenience for him. Salcedo reasoned with him that the power cut-off can not be avoided because Rombaua had been remiss in paying his electric bill, the police said.

Furious, Rombaua pulled out a knife and stabbed Salcedo.

Rombaua fled after the stabbing. – Rainier Allan Ronda