Tabloid writer faces another kidnap charge

MANILA, Philippines - A tabloid columnist, charged for kidnapping an Indian moneylender Friday night, faces another kidnapping case, an official said yesterday.

Arnel Petil, 50, was accused by another Indian moneylender, Jagsir Singh, as one of the men who allegedly kidnapped him in Montalban, Rizal on June 3, according to Superintendent Eleazar Matta, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 6 commander.

Singh identified Petil, who writes for the tabloid Police Files (not Remate as previously reported), through the severed little finger on the suspect’s left hand, Matta said.

“All they have are alibis but Petil was identified by the second victim,” Matta said, adding that his men are tracking down Petil’s alleged accomplices.

Singh alleged that Petil and his companions demanded P15 million from him and held him captive for days until he escaped, Matta said.

Petil and his companion, Richard Verzosa, were arrested at the parking lot of the QCPD Station 6 at around 8 p.m. Friday while Petil was reportedly trying to extort money from moneylender Jaswant Singh. The two men and Jaswant were in Petil’s owner-type jeep.

Petil and Verzosa underwent inquest proceedings for kidnapping on Saturday. The prosecutor did not recommend bail for the two men.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano said the two suspects identified themselves as National Bureau of Investigation agents to the policemen and presented arrest warrants for Jaswant. He said they were arrested after they could not present any identification cards.

Jaswant told police he and his brother-in-law, Jeevant Singh, were praying in their apartment in Barangay Batasan Hills when six men, Petil and Verzosa among them, barged into their house and took them.

Jeevant escaped and went to the QCPD Station 6 with their friends to report the kidnapping, Matta said.  Jaswant, who was in Petil’s jeep, started shouting for help when he saw Jeevant and his companions arrive.