Son of Fil-Chinese trader abducted

A son of a wealthy Filipino-Chinese trader was abducted by five heavily armed men in Caloocan City yesterday morning.

Jefferson Lim, 29, of 18 Guadalupe street in Morning Breeze, was reportedly aboard a motorcycle and was on his way to their family-owned Ever Gold Auto Supply along Edsa when abducted by the suspects.

Sources said the suspects, armed with handguns and long firearms, dragged Lim to their waiting get-away vehicle, a blue Izuzu Hi-Lander, with license plates XTP 124, and sped off towards Tinio street.

Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, Station Investigation and Detection Management Bureau (SIDMB) chief, said that the police are having a hard time getting more information about the abduction as the victim’s family refused to cooperate with the police.

"Except for the reported abduction of the victim, we have no more information about him as his family refused to talk to us," Borromeo said.

Lim’s abduction is the second kidnapping incident in northern Metro Manila in less than two weeks.

Last Sept. 16, at least six armed men also kidnapped a wealthy Binondo trader while about to open his hardware store in Kaunlaran Village, Barangay Longos in Malabon City.

The victim’s car, which was used by the suspects as their get-away vehicle, was recovered the next day in a remote village in Gen. Mariano Alvarez (GMA) town in Cavite.

After five days in captivity, the kidnappers released the victim after his family reportedly paid P10 million in ransom.

Meanwhile, Borromeo recommended the suspension of three Caloocan City policemen found to be remiss in performing their duties.

Inspector Crisanto Lleva, SPO4 Felipe Open and PO3 Alex Vitug, were slapped with a five-day suspension order for "simple neglect of duty." PO1 Carmelito Silvino and PO3 Wilson Vicente were likewise reprimanded for the same offense.

The five police officers are all assigned at the North Caloocan City police station.

Northern Police District director Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr., ordered his four chiefs of police to be always be on their toes in light of major crimes committed in the Camanava area.