Businessman rescued from kidnappers

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines — A businessman has been rescued from three suspected kidnappers who seized him in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija Monday.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded P5 million in exchange for the release of the businessman, according to Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones.

Investigation showed the victim was in a pick-up truck when he was seized in front of his property in Barangay Kapitan Pepe.

The suspects commandeered the truck of the victim, but as they were fleeing, the vehicle ran over two people in nearby Barangay Bakod.

The suspects abandoned the victim in Purok 1 in Barangay Bakod Bayan, and the vehicle in Sitio Hacienda, Purok 2 in the same village.

Probers said one of the kidnappers is a cousin of the victim.The suspect was arrested in San Miguel, Bulacan after he tried to sell the phone of the businessman. He was reportedly a police officer who has gone AWOL or absent without leave.

Two other suspects were arrested in Palayan City.