2 kidnap suspects tagged in another abduction

A trader and his helper, who were arrested for kidnapping a 13-year-old girl in Angeles City two weeks ago, have been linked to the kidnapping-for-ransom of another girl, aged five, in Pampanga last year.

Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) said the parents of the five-year-old victim positively identified suspects Jose Maglanque, 38, and Jimmy Altoberos, 25, after they saw them on television.

"The suspects were positively identified as those who abducted a five-year old girl in Pampanga on Aug. 25, 2004. The girl was released after her parents paid P2.5 million," Calderon said.

Calderon, Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes, and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao presented the two suspects to the media yesterday.

PACER operatives led by Senior Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas arrested Maglangue and Altoberos and rescued their 13-year-old victim in Angeles City last Nov. 16.

The police said the suspects, at gunpoint, seized the girl and fled on board a dark Nissan Safari with license plate VMA-777.

The abductors contacted the girl’s parents the same day and demanded P6-million ransom.

Unknown to the suspects, the victim’s parents contacted PACER which immediately arrested them in a resort in Angeles City.

"Christmas is fast approaching and we are alert for such cases," said Calderon.