Indian wants additional security

MANILA, Philippines - The Indian who survived a kidnap try in Pasay City on Dec. 20, 2010 wants additional security as he continues to receive death threats.

Manjinder James Kumar, president of the Khalsadiwan Indian Sect Temple along United Nations Avenue in Manila called on Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to provide him with more police escorts “before it’s too late.”

“There are two attempts in my life which I survived. I wanted additional police bodyguards so nobody would go near and kill me,” said Kumar in an interview.

Armed men shot Kumar in the chest years back while suspected members of the Quezon City Police District anti-drug unit tried to kidnap him in Pasay City last month. In both incidents Kumar survived.

Since the failed kidnap try on him, Kumar said he continues receiving death threats which were relayed to him by text messages or through his “friends.” Kumar said his enemies wanted him dead not only because he’s a strong witness on his failed kidnap try and the shooting and wounding of Senior Inspector Renato Apolinario of the Pasay City police but also to the death of his associated Ferdinand Ret and Andy Bryan Ngie.

“The messages reaching me claimed that policemen and my fellow Indian nationals wanted me dead because I’m a strong witness to the cases filed in court,” said Kumar.

The Pasay City police filed two counts of kidnapping with murder charges against Chief Inspector Edwin Faycho, head of the anti-drug unit of the QCPD, two other policemen, a civilian and four Indian for the failed kidnap try against Kumar.

Because of the continued threat on his life, Chief Superintendent Jose Arne de los Santos assigned two policemen to secure Kumar on a 24-hour basis.

De los Santos said that they are reviewing the request of Kumar for additional security.

Kumar told The Star that his two bodyguards are not enough “considering that those threatening my life are policemen and moneyed Indian nationals.”

 Kumar said his life dramatically changed since the Pasay City incident. “I cannot move around anymore like I used to. I’m holed up in one place at a certain time,” he said.

Though he survived the kidnap try, Kumar said he felt sad on the death of Ret and Ngie, who “have nothing to do with my case.”

“I pity them. They just joined me in my crusade to give justice to kidnapped Indian nationals,”  Kumar said referring to Ret and Ngie.

Kumar and his associates were following up cases of a kidnapped Indian at the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) in Camp Crame when they decided to proceed to the Pasay City police headquarters. While on their way however, armed men tried to abduct Kumar, who was saved by the bravery displayed by Apolinario, who was shot by the suspects despite him being in police uniform.