The police rescued unharmed a Filipino-Chinese businessman from his kidnappers in Quezon City yesterday morning after 17 days of captivity.
Operatives of the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) rescued Ka Kuen Chua, 46, at 11:30 a.m. yesterday following an encounter with members of a kidnap gang at Belen street in Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City.
PACER chief Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said a still unidentified member of the kidnap gang was killed while another suspect, identified as Christopher Nanson, 31, was arrested.
Espina described Nanson as a native of Camalig, Albay, and a resident of Castro street, Sta. Lucia in Novaliches, Quezon City
Immediately following Chua’s rescue, PACER operatives went to various locations to arrest the remaining members of the kidnap-for-ransom gang.
Espina said the alleged owner of the safehouse where Chua was kept, a certain Adriano Ventulla of Antipolo City, will be invited for questioning.
Chua was kidnapped last Sept. 10 by four armed men wearing t-shirts that bore the word “police.” The kidnappers initially demanded P30 million for Chua’s release.
The rescue took place while President Arroyo was formally installing Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa as the 15th Philippine National Police chief during ceremonial rites in Camp Crame.
“This marks the start of a renewed and intensified campaign against organized crime and lawless elements,” Verzosa said.