Kidnap victim rescued in Tarlac

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – A combined police team rescued a 19-year-old kidnap victim in Mayantoc, Tarlac on Monday, 18 days after she was seized in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, and arrested four suspects, including a former Army captain.

Senior Superintendent Amador Corpus, Tarlac police director, said the victim, Rio Daphne Umandap, 19, was snatched last Sept. 16 by three armed men on board a Kia Besta van without a license plate.

Using an unknown substance, the kidnappers got Umandap dizzy and then dragged her into their getaway vehicle.

Corpus said Umandap was taken to a safehouse in Barangay Care, Tarlac City and after 10 days, was transferred to a hotel and later to another place.

The kidnappers initially demanded P50-million ransom, but after a series of negotiations, opted for P458,000 which was paid in Mabalacat, Pampanga last Sunday.

Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response operatives followed the ransom taker to their Tarlac safehouse where Umandap was rescued and the four suspects – ex-Army captain Angelito Turla, Isagani Cuvinar, Rolly de la Cruz and his wife Joseline – were arrested.