3 Indians charged for slay of compatriot

SANTIAGO CITY, Philippines – Three Isabela-based Indian nationals were charged for the kidnapping-slay of a compatriot, whose remains were found last Saturday.

Charged with serious illegal detention with homicide for the killing of Subash Chander, 33, were Indian nationals Jatinder Kumar, Manider Singh and Kamlit Singh as well as a certain Gerald Tamani and Pedro Fugaban.

Chander, who was reportedly engaged in the money-lending business, was seized by at least two men aboard a tricycle who blocked his motorcycle at Bliss village in Ilagan, Isabela’s capital town, on the night of Sept. 16. 

Chander’s body was found two days later in a river in Barangay Daragutan East, San Mariano town, about less than an hour from where he was snatched.

Chander was reportedly shot in the mouth with the bullet exiting through the back of his head. His bloodstained belongings such as shoes and clothes were recovered from one of the suspects, including the tricycle used in the kidnapping.

Reports said the two Filipino suspects got some P30,000 as initial payment for the job.  

The suspects were identified and eventually arrested after Fugaban gave himself up to the San Mariano police last Sunday. 

“Based on (Fugaban’s) revelation, it was Tamani and the Indians who brought (Chander) to a ravine where he heard (gunfire),” said Superintendent Israel Baltazar, Ilagan police chief.

Police said Chander could have been killed due to personal grudge or intense business rivalry, although other angles were not being discounted.