PACER foils kidnap try on businesswoman

MANILA, Philippines - Elements of the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response foiled an attempt to kidnap a businesswoman in the posh Valle Verde Subdivision in Pasig City Tuesday night.

PACER chief, Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez said one suspect, identified as Rhed Usongco, of 2059 Lozada St., Pandacan, Manila, was killed in the ensuing gunfight. Another suspect, identified as Christopher Velasco, 24, of 25-C Purok GB, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, was arrested. He is now detained at the PACER headquarters in Camp Crame.

Two other unidentified suspects managed to escape aboard a motorcycle during the shooting. They are now being tracked down, Nerez said.

According to PACER, the suspects are members of hired guns and extortion ring. It was the group’s first try at kidnapping for ransom, PACER said.

Nerez said that prior to the attempted kidnap try, the family of the supposed victim, Clarissa Umali, 59, a resident of Valle Verde, contacted the PACER and informed police that she is the subject of an alleged extortion threat. “They threatened to kidnap her if she would not give them the money they want. Fortunately, the family of the victim cooperated with us and we were able to conduct an intelligence operation and provided the victim with security without the suspects knowing about it,” said Nerez.

“We were already monitoring the situation even during its (kidnap try) planning stage,” Nerez said.

At about 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, the suspects, made good their threat to kidnap Umali as elements of PACER and the Pasig City Police are already in position. Police said the businesswoman was aboard her Chevrolet Tahoe sports utility vehicle (ZJV-811) when the suspects, aboard motorcycles and armed with pistols, tried to take her along Lanuza Avenue.

Seized from Usongco and Velasco were a .45 caliber pistol and a motorcycle (7319R).

“This group is really involved in gun-for-hire and extortion activities. Perhaps they realized that they could make more money from kidnapping. This was their first kidnapping attempt. Unfortunately for them, PACER is now taking a pro-active approach against those involved in kidnapping for ransom,” Nerez said.

– With Non Alquitran