P20-M ransom fortrader?

TARLAC CITY — The abductors of a Chinese-Filipino hardware store owner here have demanded a P20-million ransom in exchange for his release, sources said.

This, as the police suspect that the kidnappers of Ricardo Sy, 51, who owns the US Lumber and Hardware here, could also be behind other kidnappings for ransom in Northern Luzon.

Several police officials, however, have expressed disappointment over the refusal of Sy’s family to cooperate with them in the investigation.

Inspector Willy Calimlim, the police intelligence officer here, admitted they were still at a loss on the identities and whereabouts of the kidnappers who seized Sy Wednesday night.

Sy and his wife were on their way home aboard a Starex van when the kidnappers, aboard a white Mitsubishi Lancer with license plate UMZ-824, rammed their vehicle.

Four of the kidnappers alighted from the Lancer and, at gunpoint, forcibly took Sy. They fled towards the southwestern part of Tarlac, apparently proceeding to Pangasinan where it was found their getaway car’s license plate belonged to a stolen vehicle.

Calimlim said they believe that the kidnappers could now be somewhere in Pangasinan, La Union or Baguio City.