Indian national, pupil seized in Bulacan, P’panga

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – The kidnappers of an Indian national and an elementary pupil snatched in separate incidents in Bulacan and Pampanga are demanding P50 million and P400,000 ransom, respectively for their safe release.

Mangat Singh, 57, was kidnapped Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Santo Cristo, Pulilan, Bulacan.

Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez, Bulacan police director, said the kidnapping was reported by Singh’s son Dalbir, 32, who told police that his father was dragged by four armed men into a Lite van (TAF-317) parked along Avendano street in Barangay Santo Cristo.

He said the kidnappers were armed with short firearms and fled toward Plaridel town.

Hours after the incident, the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and asked for P50 million.

Police found out from the Land Transportation Office that the license plate of the suspects’ getaway van belonged to a van registered under the name of one Milagros Pacunayen of Cainta, Rizal.

Mendez said a composite illustration of the suspects would be made based on the descriptions of the witnesses.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent R’Win Pagkalinawan, Pampanga police director, said unidentified men kidnapped a pupil of an elementary school in Barangay San Antonio, Mexico town.

Pagkalinawan said PO3 Alvin Manalo, security aide of Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang, reported the incident to the police.

Reports said the student’s relatives have already coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation in Region 3 for the student’s rescue.