Suspect in Singaporean kidnappings in custody?

A suspect in the kidnappings of Singaporean nationals in the country has been arrested by agents of the special task force of the National Bureau of Investigation.

But NBI officials refused to reveal the identity of the suspect as well as the circumstances of his arrest pending ongoing follow-up operations.

According to NBI insiders, the suspect was among heavily-armed men who abducted three Singaporeans last April 26 in the southern part of Metro Manila. The victims were released later that same day after paying P6.25 million in ransom.

The task force members, NBI sources added, are also investigating the possible involvement of the arrested suspect in the recent kidnapping of Singaporean businessman Roger Yeo.

Yeo, 45, was allegedly abducted by a group of armed men from his JSS Integrated Services Inc. office last June 1.

After nine days of captivity, Yeo was freed after his wife Yiong Hua Ng paid S$300,000 (estimated at P8.3 million) to the Filipino kidnappers. Yeo returned to Singapore after his release.

Kidnappings of Singaporean businessmen in the country since April has prompted President Arroyo to create a law enforcement superbody to combat kidnap-for-ransom gangs. – Mike Frialde