Lotto winner, family abducted, claims grandpa

A 70-year-old farmer has sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to locate his granddaughter and her family who were allegedly kidnapped by their neighbors in Norzagaray, Bulacan after they supposedly won P39.5 million from the lotto.

Francisco Hernandez, of Sta. Maria, Bulacan, approached the NBI-Special Action Unit (SAU), headed by assistant regional director Vicente de Guzman III, to locate his granddaughter, Virgie, her husband, Erwin, and their two sons who were allegedly abducted last Sept. 29.

Hernandez identified four of the nine neighbors of the couple who he claimed were behind the kidnapping.

The NBI-SAU initially gathered that Erwin shared half of the jackpot prize of P79.2 million during the Sept. 13 lotto draw.

It appeared that Erwin’s neighbors learned about his good fortune and allegedly duped him of his winnings. Witnesses claimed they saw them forcibly take Erwin, a rice mill worker, and his family.

Hernandez said the last time he saw and talked to Erwin was last Sept. 29.

He said he had sought the help of barangay officials and the Norzagaray police, but he was instead advised to get a lawyer. This prompted him to seek NBI assistance, he said.