Chinese trader seized in Cavite; family tied up

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A Chinese businessman was seized by seven unidentified men who barged into the victim’s house, tied and locked up his wife, children and three others in the toilet in Bacoor, Cavite on Thursday night.

The men looted the house before fleeing, dragging with them the victim whose identity was withheld by authorities for security reasons.

The incident was reported to the Bacoor police at around 8 p.m. by J.R. Caguiat, a relative of the family.

Caguiat told probers that he received a call from his mother-in-law informing him that his sister, who is the wife of the kidnap victim, had called asking for his help.

Investigation showed the kidnappers were wearing masks and long-sleeved shirts, and carrying long firearms.

Police said the kidnappers arrived at the victim’s house located along Macopa Road at around 7:30 p.m.

The armed men tied up the victim’s wife and their children aged four, 10 and 13 years as well as their two helpers and a relative before locking them up in the toilet.

Police said the kidnappers took several pieces of jewelry, laptops, gadgets and cash money before fleeing with the businessman.

A few minutes later, the victim’s wife received a text message saying that her husband is still alive and that she should not report the incident to the police.

Probers said the kidnappers called a sister of the victim, demanding P50 million in exchange for her brother’s release.

Another text message showed the kidnappers threatening to kill the businessman if their demands are not granted.

The family was reportedly instructed to prepare the money.

A village resident told police that he saw a Nissan Terra and a Toyota Innova speeding toward Aguinaldo Highway on the night of the incident.

Authorities have yet to complete reviewing video footage of closed-circuit television cameras to identify the kidnappers.