WPD: Fil-Chinese trader arrested, not kidnapped

No kidnapping.

This was the statement made by the Western Police District-General Assignments Section (WPD-GAS), which conducted an initial investigation into the alleged kidnapping of a Filipino-Chinese trader by eight members of the Detective Beat Patrol Group.

According to Chief Inspector Arturo Paglinawan, WPD-GAS chief, the investigation showed that "kidnap victim" Jimmy Ong was arrested for estafa and for violation of the Intellectual Property Code after he allegedly sold 10 fake Seiko diver’s watches.

"Our investigation showed that Ong was arrested for estafa and for violation of the intellectual property code and was not kidnapped as reported," Paglinawan explained.

In a report by the WPD-Detective Beat Patrol Group, Ong was the subject of a complaint lodged by businessman Paquito Matias, 56, of 171, 1st Avenue, Caloocan City.

According to the report, at about 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, Ong met Matias at the Chowking restaurant in Sta. Cruz, Manila, and sold the complainant 10 watches for P15,000.

Matias told police that he was shopping for watches at the Plaza Miranda Mall when he was approached by Ong.

According to Matias, Ong initially offered to sell him 15 watches for P22,500. Matias said Ong told him to wait at the restaurant where they would close the deal. Matias said he was only able to buy 10 watches.

Paglinawan said that at about 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 2, Senior Police Officers 2 Leandro Santos, Eduardo Liwanagan, Elias Dematera and Angelito Camero, spotted Ong and another Chinese national, Xu Peizhu, along Carriedo Street in Quiapo, Manila.

According to Paglinawan, the policemen immediately arrested Ong and Xu. Seized from the two were 10 fake Seiko and five Citizen watches.

Charges were then filed against Ong and Xu at the WPD headquarters. Paglinawan said Ong and Xu were later allowed to go home at about 2 p.m. on Nov. 3. According to Paglinawan, the estafa case was amicably settled between Ong and Matias.

Paglinawan said they are finding it hard to investigate the alleged kidnapping as Ong has still yet to file a formal complaint against his "abductors."

Paglinawan said Ong, of 1059 Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila with business address at 653 Carriedo Street, Quiapo, has still to submit a written statement.

"We went to his known addresses but he has yet to surface and cooperate with us in this investigation," said Paglinawan.

Tabloid reporters earlier said Ong was allegedly kidnapped by eight members of the WPD’s Detective Beat Patrol Group while walking in Binondo, Manila, on Nov. 2.

Following the reports, WPD director Senior Superintendent Pedro Bulaong ordered Paglinawan to conduct a probe.

According to the tabloid reports, Ong was handcuffed by police officers, blindfolded and forced to board a vehicle.

Reports said Ong was then taken to the WPD headquarters where the accused police officers allegedly forced him to admit being a drug pusher. Later that day, the accused officers allegedly called Ong’s family and demanded P3 million for his release.

The amount was later reduced to P500,000. Ong was released after the alleged payment of ransom.