Kidnap ring leader falls in Pasay raid

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged leader of a gang responsible for the kidnapping of a Chinese businesswoman in July last year was arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a raid in Pasay City Thursday night.

Reccinte Padillo, listed by the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group as one of the most wanted kidnappers in the country, was nabbed along with his partner Yasmin Cruz and driver Ivan Estrella at Pinecrest 1, Newport Residential Resort, AKG chief Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo said.

Padillo was tagged in the kidnapping of Sally Chua in Quezon City on July 5, 2013.

Chua was brought by her kidnappers to Davao City, where she was rescued by the police.

Fajardo said Padillo’s arrest was made by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Bernelito Fernandez of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 97 for kidnapping for ransom.

Police said Cruz and Estrella have pending arrest warrants for large-scale estafa issued by Judge Corpuz Alzarte of the Abra Regional Trial Court.

The complainants in the estafa case were San Juan, Abra Mayor Marco Bautista and Rodolfo Bernardez IV, former mayor of Bucay town, also in Abra.

“We will remain focused on our mandate to neutralize all wanted kidnappers. We are appealing to the public to help the PNP in the campaign against kidnapping,” Fajardo said.

He said information on kidnappers may be relayed at hotline numbers 0918-9002020, 0927-3234894 and 02-7270000.