QC kidnap victim rescued in Davao

MANILA, Philippines - A businesswoman kidnapped in Quezon City last July 5 was rescued yesterday afternoon by police officers in Davao City, where she was brought by her captors for the supposed payoff of P15 million ransom through a local bank.

Three of her alleged kidnappers were killed in a shootout with police officers while another was arrested. One of the slain kidnap suspects wore a Philippine Army 2007 ring, investigators said.

Ten other kidnappers reportedly escaped in two white Mitsubishi Pajeros.

Davao City police chief Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa identified the victim as Sally Chua, who turns 52 today, an autoshop owner in Quezon City.

The kidnappers reportedly took Chua on a five-day trip to Davao City on roll-on, roll-off vessels. They initially demanded P100 million, but the amount was reduced to P50 million and then to P25 million, Dela Rosa said. The kidnappers later agreed to a ransom of P15 million, which Chua said could only be paid through a bank in Davao City.

It was reportedly Chua’s idea that the ransom be paid in Davao City as she believed that the kidnappers would be neutralized, Dela Rosa said.

It was when Chua and one of the kidnappers who escorted her to the bank were counting the money that the police arrested the kidnapper.

Police officers posted outside the bank shot at a white Montero with plate number BW3086, which was occupied by three of the kidnappers, Dela Rosa said.

He added that they are hunting down 10 other kidnappers who escaped.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte told reporters as he emerged from the bank that he had only one message to criminals: “I told you not to f*** here in Davao City.” He did not elaborate.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II called up Duterte shortly after the shootout.

The kidnappers reportedly booked Chua on a flight back to Manila yesterday afternoon, supposedly after they received the ransom.

Southern Mindanao regional police director Jaime Morente described Chua as still in shock. Doctors at the city’s 911 Emergency Response Center are taking care of her, he said.

Investigators found in the bullet-riddled Montero several high-powered firearms, ammunition, several different license plates, Chua’s personal belongings as well as boxes of pomelo and mangosteen.