4 pyramiding scam victims face kidnapping raps

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Police have filed kidnapping charges against four suspects in the kidnapping of a six-year-old boy in Zamboanga del Sur on Sunday.

As this developed, manhunt operations were ongoing for the arrest of a fourth suspect in the kidnapping of the boy, who is a son of a local businessman in Aurora town.

The boy was rescued by a joint team of policemen and Army troopers more than two hours after the kidnapping. The boy was rescued with the arrest of his four abductor identified as Police Officer 1 Nasrudin Marohom Ampatuan, Daud Marohom, Imam Marohom Ampatuan, and Amrad Marohom Punao.

Zamboanga del Sur provincial police commander, Senior Superintendent Romeo Uy, said the four suspects have been subjected to inquest for kidnapping charges on Monday.

Uy said the police have been alerted for the possible arrest of Camar Marohom, said to be the mastermind of the suspects.

“It was clear that the suspects were trying to raise ransom,” Uy said.

According to Uy, the suspects abducted the young boy to force the victim’s mother – Mechelle – to raise the amount they have invested and lost from the Aman Futures Group Philippines Inc, which was involved in a multi-million scam in several provinces in Mindanao.

Uy said that the suspects allegedly hitched P700,000 to the victim’s mother, who was then an investor but also lost a huge amount of money when the Aman Futures Group collapsed.